Artwork
Coronation of the Virgin
Coronation of the Virgin is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Fra Angelico. It dates from 1424 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
You see gold rays, a blue sky, and a crowd of saints and angels watching Mary kneel while Christ places a crown on her head.
You see gold rays, a blue sky, and a crowd of saints and angels watching Mary kneel while Christ places a crown on her head.
This small panel was probably made for one person to pray with, not for a church altar. The tiny faces and delicate halos are painted with such care that you can almost feel the artist’s steady hand. Fra Angelico was a monk, and his quiet faith shows in every brushstroke.
To see how other 15th-century Florence artists painted holy scenes, look up *subject: italy, florence, 15th century*.
Overview
The Coronation of the Virgin is a small painting attributed to Fra Angelico, a Dominican monk from Florence.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts Christ crowning the kneeling Virgin Mary, surrounded by a crowd of saints and angels, in a setting adorned with gold and starry tapestries, symbolizing a heavenly atmosphere.
Technique & Style
The painting is characterized by minute detail, rich finish, and extensive use of gold, with delicate halos and tiny faces painted with great care, reflecting the artist's devout and meticulous approach.
History & Provenance
The painting's original purpose is uncertain, but its size and detail suggest it was created for private devotion rather than as part of a larger altarpiece.
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…
