Artwork
Copy after the Annunciation, Fra Angelico in the Museo di San Marco (Florence)
Copy after the Annunciation, Fra Angelico in the Museo di San Marco (Florence) is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Fra Angelico. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The Arundel Society sold prints so people could see Renaissance works without traveling.
This watercolor copies Fra Angelico’s 1440 fresco in Florence’s San Marco. Soft pinks and grays copy the angel’s wings and Mary’s robe. A slim gold halo glows above her bowed head.
Fra Angelico painted his original for monks to meditate on. This 1863 version was made by Cesare Mariannecci to share the image with the public. The Arundel Society sold prints so people could see Renaissance works without traveling.
See how Fra Angelico’s figures feel calm and still. Look next at Angelico, Fra.
Overview
This watercolour, created in 1863 by Cesare Mariannecci, is a copy of Fra Angelico's fresco from the Convento di San Marco in Florence.
Subject & Meaning
The original fresco, painted by Fra Angelico in the 1440s, depicts the Annunciation. It was intended to aid the monks' meditation. Mariannecci's copy aimed to share this image with a broader audience, making Renaissance art more accessible.
Technique & Style
The watercolour replicates the soft colours and serene atmosphere of Fra Angelico's original. Soft pinks and grays are used to render the angel's wings and Mary's robe, while a slim gold halo is depicted above her head.
History & Provenance
The watercolour was created for the Arundel Society, which promoted knowledge of art through reproductions. Although it was not published, it reflects the society's efforts to popularise Renaissance art, particularly that of the Italian Old Masters.
Context
The Convento di San Marco, where Fra Angelico's fresco is located, was decorated by him in the 1440s. The frescoes cover various areas, including the cloister and the monks' dormitory, showcasing Fra Angelico's characteristic use of colour and light.
Artist & collection
Artist
Fra Giovanni da Fiesole (born Guido di Pietro; c. 1395 – 18 February 1455), known posthumously as Fra Angelico ( FRAH an-JEL-ik-oh, Italian: ), was an Italian Dominican friar and painter active during the early…
