This stillness invites the viewer to stop, be silent, and contemplate what is being portrayed. These panels come from the predella (lowest part) of the altarpiece made for the high altar of San Domenico, Fiesole. It is the feast of Blessed Fra Angelico. He entered the Dominican Order of Preachers at Fiesole Italy, and was given the name Giovanni de Fiesole (Fra John). All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2020 Catholic Online. Even before his official recognition as a blessed of the Church, he had been given by the faithful the title “Beato Angelico.” In a moving ceremony on October 18, 1984, Pope John Paul II, on his knees in front of Fra Angelico’s tomb, proclaimed him solemnly to be the universal patron of all artists. This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement. Blessed Fra Angelico You created works of beauty which have inspired countless souls into a closer union with God. Help keep us free by making a donation today. Fra Giovanni, sometimes aided by assistants, set about the task of decorating the monastery, including many frescoes for the cloister, chapter house, and entrances to the 20 cells on the upper corridors. Although there is no known or surviving visual parallel for the images, we know from written sources that the Dominicans were deeply interested in the saints of their order and many lists of Dominican saints – ordered according to their importance – were compiled. From 1449-1452 Angelico was prior of his convent in Fiesole. It was averred that he never handled a brush without a prayer, and wept when painting a crucifix. Although I am not a Franciscan, I have had Franciscan friends, clergy, and spiritual directors instruct me on the beauty of St. Clare's spirituality. This panel shows the Dominican Blessed, both tertiaries (those who lived in general society rather than a convent, but were allied to the Dominican Order) and friars. Images of the enthroned Madonna and Child surrounded by saints were common, but they usually depicted a setting that was clearly heavenlike, in which saints and angels hovered about as divine presences rather than people. This panel and The Dominican Blessed: Outer Right Pilaster Panel framed the predella of the altarpiece made for the church of San Domenico, Fiesole, near Florence, on either side. He became known as “Fra Giovanni da Fiesole”, becoming known in later life as “Fra Angelico”, the “angelic brother”, because of the holiness of his life and the heavenly quality of his painting. It is inscribed in the soul of the artist, when with the work of his talent, of his genius, he tries to overcome the limit of the transient and of death. This panel comes from the predella (the lowest part) of an altarpiece made for the church of San Domenico, Fiesole, near Florence. From time to time, I’ll share some of my own art work and tell you about my creative process. It shows the Virgin and Child seated on a throne surrounded on either side by adoring angels and Saints Thomas Aquinas, Barnabas, Dominic and Peter Martyr. New York: Penguin Books, 1965. Christ, hovering on wispy clouds, is surrounded by angels who sing, dance and play musical instruments. the Seven Deacons of the Church of Rome, St. Michael the Archangel Consecration prayer, St. Therese and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, state discrimination against pro-life citizens, Status Envy: The Politics of Higher Education, Sts. Apart from Barnabas, the apostle, the other three were Dominican saints. Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 1911. Read more. Let’s listen to his word! His altarpiece for San Marco (1439) is one of the first representations of what is known as a Sacred Conversation: the Madonna flanked by angels and saints who seem to share a common space. Ferrer founded a convent in Fiesole; the altarpiece that this panel comes from was made for it. Fra Giovanni Angelico led a holy and self-denying life; he shunned advancement and was a brother to the poor. Nicknamed “Angelico” by his brothers, his Dominican consecration and life are worthy of imitation as he preached Jesus Christ by his life, his words, and his paintings. She was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St. Francis of Assisi and is the co-founder of the Poor Clares. Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion. In front of the predella was a tabernacle (Prado, Madrid) which held the Host – the bread of the Eucharist. His father, sensing that Raymond was drawn to religious life, ordered him to manage one of the family farms. Among other works of that period are two of the CORONATION OF THE VIRGIN (San Marco and Louvre, Paris) and THE DEPOSITION and THE LAST JUDGMENT (San Marco). Vasari expressed that it was so ethereal, and that the whole coloring of the work was so beautiful, that it appeared to be created by the hand of a saint or an angel, it was with good reason the monk was called Fra Giovanni Angelico. The predella panels and this painting’s pair are also in the National Gallery. John of Fiesole, popularly known as Bl. Clare and Francis (2007) is a film which depicts the fascinating story of her dramatic conversion and surrender to the will of God. St. Francis of Assisi, pictures of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, Pope Benedict XVI's homily on the feast of the Immaculate Conception 2008, Pope Francis with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Prayer for Forgiveness of a Family Member, Prayer for the Intercession of Pope St. John Paul II, prayer for the intercession of Saint Blaise, Prayer for the Victims of the Texas Explosion and Their Families, Prayer To Our Lady of Perpetual Help for Financial Aid, prayers for pregnant women expectant mothers, pro-aborts exploitation of Tiller's murder, Servant of God Franciscus Hubertus Schraven, Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites, Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary", Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; World Day of Prayer for Priests, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; YouTube Video, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart, St. Augustine of Canterbury. Next to him is Blessed Vincent Ferrer, carrying a book and a flame, who was canonised (made a saint) in 1455. Fra Angelico himself made a series of frescoes including portraits of Dominican friars for the chapter house of San Marco, Florence. Although our doors have temporarily closed, it's still possible to book tickets for visits from 2 December onwards. Fra Angelico. In Italy, the painter had long been called "il Beato Angelico" (the Blessed Angelico).