“The Story of St. Nicholas: The Death of the Saint,” crafted by Fra Angelico between 1447 and 1448, is a panel painted with tempera. This religious painting belongs to the Early Renaissance art movement and is a part of the Perugia Triptych series. It is presently housed at the National Gallery of Umbria (Palazzo dei Priori) in Perugia, Italy.
The artwork portrays the death scene of St. Nicholas, depicted with solemn reverence and surrounded by attendees in a serene setting. The body of the saint lies on a richly adorned bier, draped in ornate fabric with intricate patterns. Several figures, presumably clerics and mourners, gather around, each engrossed in either prayer or lamentation. In the background, a serene sky is illustrated, with three angels and the divine figure of Christ seated above, welcoming the saint into heaven. The angelic figures, depicted with golden wings and flowing garments, add an ethereal and heavenly dimension to the scene. The architectural elements in the painting, such as the walls and windows, are rendered with a meticulous sense of perspective, characteristic of the Early Renaissance attention to spatial depth and realism. The overall composition exudes a profound sense of devotion and sanctity, capturing a pivotal moment of religious significance with grace and precision.
