‘Annunciation and Decent from the Cross’
by Blessed John of Fiesole
Popularly Known as Blessed Fra Angelico
(Franciscan Media) Blessed John of Fiesole born in Vicchio overlooking Italy Florence, he took up painting as a young lad studying under the watchful eye of a local painting master and became known for the beauty of his paintings.
Given the name “Guido” at Baptism, he joined the Dominicans at the age of 20 taking the name ‘Fra Giovanni’ (nicknamed Angelico) by his brothers he eventually became known as ‘Fra Angelico’ as he ministered Jesus Christ by his life, his words and paintings.
Continuing studying painting and perfecting his own techniques which included broad brush strokes, vivid colors and generous life like figures, Michelangelo once said of Fra Angelico:
“One has to believe that this good Monk has visited paradise and been allowed to choose his models there.”
Whatever his subject matter, Fra Angelico sought to generate feelings of religious devotion in response to his paintings. Among his most famous works are the ‘Annunciation and Descent From the Cross’ as well as ‘Frescoes’ in the Monastery of San Marco in Florence.
Between 1425 and 1447 ‘Fra Angelico’ served in leadership positions for the Dominican convents and other ecclesiastical institutes at Fiesole in Florence, Cortona and Orvieto.
The fame of ‘Fra Angelico’ genius, merited him the esteem of Pope Eugenio IV (1383-1447) and Nicholas V (1397-1455) whom they contracted with for the task of ‘frescoing painting’ several rooms in the Vatican Palace.
Fra Angelico Frescoes in the ‘Cappella Niccolina
of the Plazzi Pontifica in the Vatican’
Fra Angelico passed away on this date (18 February) 1455 in the ‘Convent of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva’ in Rome and was buried in the adjoining Basilica, where his body was covered by a simple slab on which was carved his portrait, with a personality that was uncomplicated and clear.
“The virtue and and profound religious spirit which characterized the life of this artist and Dominican, is reflected in his (Fra Angelico) spirituality, his purity and the luminosity of his art,” wrote the Dominican Sisters.
Even before his official as ‘Blessed of the Church’ Fra Angelico had been given the faithful title ‘Beato Angelico’ in a moving ceremony on the 18 October, 1984 when Pope Saint John Paul II on his knees in front of ‘Fra Angelico’ tomb, proclaimed him solemnly to be the universal patron of all artists.
“The incarnation was on of Fra Angelico’s favorite themes and he painted over 25 variations of it, his painted meditations, so needed at the time of the early Renaissance are still necessary today. God became man to bring us closer to Himself by way of all things human–He makes all things new by fashioning them into possible vehicles of grace for us, so that by visible realities and concrete concepts, we can arrive at an understanding and a love of higher, invisible realities, all leading to God Himself.”
Related: Fra Angelico Paintings — Convent of San Marco