The artwork “The Healing of Justinian by Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian” was created by the renowned Early Renaissance artist Fra Angelico between 1438 and 1440. This tempera on panel piece measures 45 by 37 centimeters and is religious in genre, forming part of the San Marco Altarpiece. Today, it is located in the Basilica di San Marco in Florence, Italy, and depicts a supernatural event from Christian hagiography.
In the artwork, Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian are depicted in the miraculous act of healing Emperor Justinian. The scene takes place in a modest room, suggesting a domestic space. The saints, identified by their halos, are shown performing what appears to be a surgical procedure on the reclining figure of Justinian, who lies upon a raised bed, his face contorted in an expression of pain. One of the saints is portrayed in an act of precision as he attends to Justinian’s leg.
The interior setting is rendered with a pronounced attention to perspective, a technique which was becoming increasingly significant during the Early Renaissance period. Fra Angelico has included architectural details that contribute to the spatial depth of the scene—such as the curtains, the door, and the ceiling—while also employing light to further define the form and space. The color palette is subdued yet rich, capturing spiritual gravitas and the solemnity of the moment depicted.
Despite the miraculous nature of the event, the rendering of the human figures and their garments is naturalistic, showcasing Fra Angelico’s skill in representing both divinity and humanity with grace and dignity. The composition emphasizes the divine intervention accomplished by the saints, while maintaining a grounded and accessible representation that would have communicated effectively to contemporary viewers.
