The artwork titled “Virgin and Child Enthroned with Twelve Angels,” crafted by Fra Angelico around the year 1430, is a religious painting emblematic of the Early Renaissance period. Executed in tempera on panel, this painting measures 37 x 28 cm and is housed in the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
In the artwork, the centrally enthroned Virgin Mary is depicted holding the Christ Child on her lap. The Virgin is adorned in a dark blue mantle, symbolizing her purity and divine grace, while the Child is shown offering a gesture of blessing. Surrounding them are twelve angels, arranged symmetrically, each with halos and vibrant garments of varying colors. The throne is depicted as an elevated structure with an ornate, Gothic canopy, emphasizing the sacred and regal nature of the scene. The golden background highlights the divine illumination and otherworldly aspect of the depiction. This composition, with its intricate details and harmonious arrangement, reflects Fra Angelico’s mastery and the spiritual reverence characteristic of the Early Renaissance religious art.
