Rothko, who died in 1970, went on to become a defining artist of the 20th century: so it was a genius move to place some of his works in the cells where he first saw Fra Angelico’s luminous gospel scenes.

San Marco in Florence has been a museum since the 19th century, but in many ways it’s never stopped being the 15th-century Dominican monastery it originally was. One of its first friars was Fra Angelico, who would go on to become a defining artist of the Renaissance. An artistic pioneer – he focused on space and perspective – he was also, to his core, a believer in God. His works were created, icon like, as prayers in themselves, designed to focus meditation and spiritual contemplation in their viewers, who were his brother monks. Many of his finest works are frescoes painted on the walls of their cells.

Get Instant Access

Continue Reading

Register for free to read this article in full

REGISTER

Subscribe for unlimited access

SUBSCRIBE NOW

From just £37.50 quarterly

  Print copy of The Tablet delivered directly to your door.
  Complete access to all Tablet website content including all premium content.
  Access to the weekly digital copy of The Tablet.
  Full access to The Tablet’s archive – over 180 years of back issues.

Already a subscriber? Login