Fra Angelico (1395-1455)

Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, or Fra Angelico, was a Dominican friar and gifted artist of the early Renaissance. Known as “The Angelic Painter,” he created many magnificent works of religious art that adorn churches and religious houses in Italy. Among his most famous works are The Annunciation and Descent from the Cross.

Fra Angelico was born in Rome and joined the Dominicans in 1420. He began his career as an artist illustrating manuscripts and choir books. To him, to paint was to pray, and he began each artistic endeavor begging God to bless his work.
 
His talent was quickly recognized, and he was asked to paint interiors of convents and churches. One altarpiece showing the intricacy of his work depicts Christ in glory surrounded by 250 saints and is preserved in the National Gallery of London. His famous image of The Annunciation was painted at the request of the influential Cosimo dé Medici in Florence in the 1440s. He was summoned to Rome to paint church interiors and rooms used by the pope.

Pope John Paul II was asked about miracles attributed to Fra Angelico upon his beatification. The pope pointed to his art and said, “These are his miracles.”

— Jim Graves