Artwork

Saint Romuald Forbidding Entry to the Monastery to Emperor Otton III

Saint Romuald Forbidding Entry to the Monastery to Emperor Otton III, by Fra Angelico, tempera, 1430
Saint Romuald Forbidding Entry to the Monastery to Emperor Otton III, by Fra Angelico, tempera, 1430

Saint Romuald Forbidding Entry to the Monastery to Emperor Otton III is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Fra Angelico. It dates from 1430 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Saint Romuald Forbidding Entry to the Monastery to Emperor Otton III is a tempera painting created by Fra Angelico around 1430, depicting a pivotal encounter between a religious figure and a ruler.

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates the historical meeting between Saint Romuald, known for strict monastic discipline, and Emperor Otto III, where the saint denies the emperor entry to the monastery. The scene conveys themes of spiritual authority and worldly power.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the work showcases Fra Angelico's characteristic use of vibrant colors, notably blues, reds, and golds, and includes gold halos, consistent with his gentle and luminous style evident in his religious artworks.

History & Provenance

Part of a series of religious paintings by Fra Angelico, including works for the San Marco convent in Florence, this painting is now held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

Context

Created during the early Florentine Renaissance, the painting reflects the era's artistic and religious sentiments, with Fra Angelico, as a Dominican friar, bringing a deep spiritual perspective to his work.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Fra Angelico

Artist

Fra Angelico

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…