Artwork
Watercolour, copy after The Ordination of St Stephen and St Stephen Distributing Alms, Fra Angelico in the Niccoline Chapel (Vatican, Rome)
Watercolour, copy after The Ordination of St Stephen and St Stephen Distributing Alms, Fra Angelico in the Niccoline Chapel (Vatican, Rome) is a watercolor work on paper by the Byzantine icon painting artist Fra Angelico. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This watercolour is a 19th-century copy of a fresco by Fra Angelico, executed by Eduard Kaiser around 1877 for the Arundel Society. It reproduces a scene from the Niccoline Chapel in the Vatican, specifically depicting St Stephen distributing alms.
Subject & Meaning
The watercolour illustrates a key moment in the life of St Stephen, one of the first Christian martyrs, as he distributes alms. This scene is part of a broader narrative in Fra Angelico's original frescoes, which also included the life of St Lawrence, highlighting early Christian virtues and martyrdom.
Technique & Style
Kaiser's watercolour technique aims to replicate the expressive qualities of Fra Angelico's fresco, characterized by a more vibrant and emotive style than the artist's earlier work at the Convento di San Marco. The copy reflects Kaiser's study of the 'primitives' and the Renaissance revival interest of his time.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by the Arundel Society (founded in 1848 to disseminate art knowledge through reproductions), this copy was painted by Eduard Kaiser in circa 1877. The original frescoes were painted by Fra Angelico between 1447 and 1451 for Pope Nicholas V's private chapel.
Context
Created during a period of renewed interest in 'primitives' (pre-Renaissance Western European art) in the late 19th century, this watercolour contributed to the popularisation of Italian Old Masters, particularly Fra Angelico, among a broader audience.
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…
Copy after St Lawrence receiving the treasure of the Church and St Lawrence distributing Alms, Fra Angelico in the Niccoline Chapel (Vatican, Rome)
Copy after The Expulsion of St Stephen and The Martyrdom of St Stephen, Fra Angelico in the Niccoline Chapel (Vatican, Rome)
Copy after St Stephen preaching and St Stephen before the Council, Fra Angelico in the Niccoline Chapel (Vatican, Rome)
Copy after the Annunciation, Fra Angelico in the Museo di San Marco (Florence)
Copy after The Ordination of St Lawrence, Fra Angelico in the Niccoline Chapel (Vatican, Rome)
Copy after the cycle of the <i>Life of St Francis</i> (<i>Birth of St Francis</i>), Benozzo Gozzoli in San Francesco, Montefalco
Copy after the fresco of the mock polyptych <i>Virgin and Child with Saints</i>, Benozzo Gozzoli in San Francesco, San Girolamo chapel, Montefalco