International Art Treasures Web Magazine

June 2006  

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Fra Angelico

Released in conjunction with the first major exhibit devoted to the works of Fra Angelico in half a century, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The exhibit has closed yet this book lives on as a historical testament to "The Angelic Friar".

Fra Angelico is known for his altarpieces and frescoes. Naturally enough the latter didn't form part of the exhibit but are not overlooked in the literary retrospective. As time has passed it has allowed scholars to recognize the artist's mastery there by allowing for a more accurate picture to emerge.

Guido di Pietro was an early Renaissance painter who was born in Tuscany. Nicknamed Il Beato or The Blessed for his artistic skills. It wasn't until 1982 that Pope John Paul II gave beatification to Fra Angelico.

It was his move to the then newly built monastery, San Marco, in Florence that provided his entry into the great artistic movements of his time. Cosimo de Medici became his patron. Among his best known works was the Altarpiece for San Marco.

Kanter and Palladino delve into the artist's life, while not overlooking his contemporaries, during his life span: (1390/5 - 1455). The illustrations accompanying the text are exquisite.