Fra Angelico, one of the most revered painters of the 15th century, was best known for his beautifully serene religious artwork. He had many patrons including powerful families in Florence and religious orders. Fra Angelico’s paintings were a natural expression of his piety and often conveyed deep human sentiment.
The Annunciation and The Adoration of the Magi were two recurring themes in his body of work. The Annunciation depicts a symbol that represents the loss of paradise alongside the purity of Mary as she receives news from an angel that would change her life dramatically. On the other hand, The Adoration of the Magi featured circular and panel paintings illustrating baby Jesus being visited by three wise men bearing gifts.
Fra Angelico made use of “tempura style” when working on his pieces. This technique required pigments dispersed in an ointment mixture to create vibrant colours that brought his works to life with a distinctly classical feel. His Coronation Of The Virgin was perhaps commissioned for specific nuns in mind as it illustrates Mary being crowned as Queen Of Heaven.
Fra Angelico’s artwork remains highly sought after today because he mastered various subjects including architecture, landscapes, light effects, realistic faces among others effectively capturing every essence within each painting with breath-taking results.
