Date of Birth: c. 1395
Zodiac Sign: Unknown
Date of Death: February 18, 1455
Biography
Fra Angelico, born Guido di Pietro, was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance known for his serene and divine depictions of religious subjects. He was born around 1395 in Vicchio, Tuscany, Italy. Fra Angelico entered the Dominican Order in Fiesole around 1418, taking on the name Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, and was later nicknamed “Angelico” for his virtuous character and the heavenly quality of his work. Much of his career was spent in Florence, where he painted frescoes for the San Marco monastery, commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici. His works reflect a combination of the Gothic tradition with the innovative use of perspective and light characteristic of the Renaissance. Fra Angelico’s most famous works include the Annunciation and the frescoes of the Convent of San Marco. He passed away on February 18, 1455, in Rome, Italy.
5 Interesting Facts about Fra Angelico
1. Fra Angelico was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1982, recognizing his life of piety and devotion to religious art.
2. He was initially trained as a manuscript illuminator before turning to fresco and panel painting.
3. Fra Angelico’s frescoes at the Convent of San Marco in Florence are considered some of the most important works of the Early Renaissance.
4. He was invited to Rome by Pope Eugenius IV and later by Pope Nicholas V to paint in the Vatican.
5. Despite his success, Fra Angelico remained humble and continued to live a monastic life, dedicating his work to the glory of God.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Fra Angelico
1. “He who does Christ’s work must stay with Christ always.”
2. “To paint Christ, one must live Christ.”
3. “The keenest critics are the artists themselves.”
4. “Art is the perfection of nature, made more perfect by the hand of man.”
5. “True art is the expression of the soul reflected through the hands of the artist.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Fra Angelico did not accumulate personal wealth; as a friar, he lived a life of poverty and humility.
Children
Fra Angelico was a Dominican friar and took vows of celibacy, thus he did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Fra Angelico – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fra_Angelico
3. [Fra Angelico – National Gallery, London](https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/fra-angelico
4. [Fra Angelico – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fra-Angelico
5. [Fra Angelico – Uffizi Galleries](https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/fra-angelico
