Description
The painting "The Virgin Consigns the Habit to St Dominic" by artist Fray Angelico is an impressive work of art noted for its detailed artistic style and balanced composition. The painting, which measures 23 x 14 cm, is made using the tempera on panel technique and dates from the 15th century.
Fray Angelico's artistic style is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create a sense of depth and perspective in his works. In "The Virgin Consigns the Habit to St Dominic", the artist has used a rich and vibrant color palette to create a stunning image of the Virgin Mary handing over the habit of the Order of Preachers to Saint Dominic.
The composition of the painting is impressive, with the figure of the Virgin Mary at the center of the image, surrounded by a group of accompanying angels. Saint Dominic is kneeling at her feet, receiving the habit from the Virgin. The background of the painting is full of details, such as a city in the distance and a sky full of clouds.
The story behind the painting is fascinating. It was commissioned by the Order of Preachers for their chapel in Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy. The painting became an object of popular devotion and is believed to have been venerated as a holy relic.
There are lesser known aspects of painting that are also interesting. For example, the figure of the Virgin Mary is said to have been modeled after the wife of Fray Angelico's patron, while the figure of Saint Dominic was modeled after the artist himself. Furthermore, it is believed that Fra Angelico included his own portrait in the painting, in the figure of the angel holding the habit.
In short, "The Virgin Consigns the Habit to St Dominic" is an impressive painting that stands out for its detailed art style, balanced composition, and rich color palette. The story behind the painting and its lesser-known aspects make it an even more fascinating work of art.