The magnificent frescoes in chapels and town halls across Italy are
among the greatest achievements of Renaissance art. Commissioned
by either private patrons or by the Church, the great artists of the
day produced images of matchless beauty. The work of Fra Angelico at
the Dominican convent of San Marco in Florence is a brilliant
reflection of the remarkable artistry of the time
Now visitors can tour this lovely cloistered convent guided by the scholarship of a renowned art historian!
 The Jane’s Smart Art
audio guide to San Marco is an adaptation of a now out-of-print book
written by William Hood, the renowned Fra Angelico scholar. One in the
series The Great Fresco Cycles of the Renaissance,
Professor Hood’s book treated the Fra Angelico frescoes of San Marco in
the context of their religious, artistic, and historical
significance.
The Jane’s Smart Art Guide™
to the Fra Angelico frescoes at San Marco tells of the central role
that the artist-friar’s work played in the daily lives of his fellow
Observant Dominicans. Between 1440 to 1452 Fra Angelico and his
faithful assistants graced the walls of the convent with more than 50
elegant frescoes that still today, well more than 500 years later,
convey the profound piety and humility that characterized members of
the Observant Dominican order.
With
Jane guiding you through this quiet, cloistered setting --
appreciating it step-by-step in the framework of its history – you will
come away with a deep and lasting appreciation of the essence of this
remarkable place. .
- Understand the influence of Observant Dominican principles on the choice of subject matter and the placement of the images;
- Hear how the images conveyed the ancient ideas and traditions of the Dominican order and the meaning of life at San Marco;
- Learn about the architecture of the convent, the life of Fra Angelico, and the political climate of the day; and
- Appreciate Fra Angelico's piety and technical virtuosity as you listen to the commentary on each fresco.
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To review the companion booklet, click here. |
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