“The Virgin Consigns the Habit to St. Dominic,” a tempera on panel created by Fra Angelico between 1433 and 1434, exemplifies the Early Renaissance movement. Measuring 23 by 14 centimeters, this religious painting is part of “The Cortona Altarpiece” series.
The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary consigning the habit to St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order. The scene is set in a sparse interior, where St. Dominic, cloaked in a monk’s habit that symbolizes his commitment, stands in pious reverence with hands clasped in prayer. The Virgin Mary is resplendent, enveloped in divine light emanating from her halo, signifying sanctity and grace as she hands over the ecclesiastical garment. The serene, tender expression of the figures and their sacred interaction highlights the divine approval and spiritual significance of St. Dominic’s mission. Fra Angelico’s mastery is evident in the delicate details and the use of light to evoke a deeply spiritual and devotional mood.
