Saturday, August 29, 2015

San Marco

When we were last in Florence in 1971, 44 years ago, one of the sights that stayed with us all these years was the frescoes of Fra Angelico in the Convent of San Marco. This was the headquarters of the Dominicans, a religious order founded in the 13th century. In the first half of the 15th century, Fra Angelico lived here and painted frescoes throughout the building.

Every monk's cell (and there are many) was decorated with a fresco beside the window, conforming to the curved ceiling. There were many scenes from the life of Christ, with more crucifixions than any other. I wonder if he asked each resident what his favorite story was. If you ever get to Florence, you must be sure to go to this place.

Portrait of Fra Angelico

Altarpiece with saints on both sides of the doors

Dominicans eating below the crucifixion, overlooks the rectory

A Last Supper

Perhaps his most famous, The Annunciation, at the top of the stairs to the cells

Bas-relief reproduction of The Annunciation for the blind (notes in braille behind)

One of the cells' paintings

Illuminated musical manuscript

Another -- these were absolutely gorgeous

Looking down the halls of the cells

The front of the church

1 comment:

  1. So enjoying your Italy tour. Now you can qualify as a tour conductor or docent lecturer on the Rennaisance art of Italy. Glad you're having this fantastic opportunity!

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