And the masters of light. An exhibition dedicated to Fra Angelico that presents nearly 25 major works by Fra Angelico and a similar number of panels painted by some of his prestigious contemporaries, such as Lorenzo Monaco, Masolino, Paolo Uccello, Filippo Lippi and Zanobi Strozzi
From 23rd September 2011 to 16th January 2012, the Jacquemart-André Museum is holding an
exhibition dedicated to Fra Angelico, a major figure of the Quattrocento. The Jacquemart-André
Museum is the first French museum to pay tribute to Fra Angelico and reconsider this exceptional
artist’s career. The exhibition will present nearly 25 major works by Fra Angelico and a similar
number of panels painted by some of his prestigious contemporaries, such as Lorenzo Monaco,
Masolino, Paolo Uccello, Filippo Lippi and Zanobi Strozzi.
The event: this dedicated Fra Angelico is a French museum first
Fra Angelico (c.1400-1455) was a major player in Florence’s artistic and cultural revolution at the
beginning of the 15th century. His work combines the golden lustre inherited from Gothic style with a
new understanding of perspective. He initiated the artistic movement which specialists have named
the “Peintres de la Lumière” (painters of light).
Alongside his works will be hung those of renowned painters who significantly influenced his work,
such as his teacher Lorenzo Monaco (1370-1424), Masolino (1383-c. 1440) and Paolo Uccello (1397-
1475), as well as artists that he inspired, such as Filippo Lippi (1406-1469) and Zanobi Strozzi (1412-
1468).
The “Fra Angelico and the Masters of Light” exhibition is being held in partnership with major Italian
museums – including the Uffizi Gallery – and internationally famous collections.
Major works
Fra Angelico was an artist of many talents, and he produced masterpieces on a diverse range of
materials. Although he is best known for the frescos which decorate the San Marco convent in
Florence, he was just as accomplished in the delicate arts of illumination and painting on wood, as
the exhibition will show.
Panels and richly ornate works such as the Last Judgement triptych (from the Corsini Gallery in
Rome), La Madone di Cedri (San Matteo National Museum, Pisa) and one of the panels from
L'armadio degli argenti, (San Marco Museum, Florence) will be displayed at the Jacquemart-André
Museum. These works demonstrate Fra Angelico’s love of elegant, contrasting colours. The subtle
tones he chooses enhance the elegant figures he depicts from Biblical episodes or the lives of the
saints.
A video shown at the entrance to the exhibition will allow visitors to view his finest work - the frescos
adorning the cells of the San Marco monastery in Florence.
What makes Fra Angelico stand out within the first Florentine Renaissance
Fra Angelico was a pupil of Lorenzo Monaco and, like him, a monk. He learned his art in Florence, a
city saturated with the International Gothic style. This refined style, which combined influences from
Northern Europe and Italy, inspired Fra Angelico to create works with deep spiritual meaning.
Fra Angelico’s choice of subjects conformed to the religious pictorial tradition, but he reinterpreted
these subjects throughout his career. For example, his many variations on the theme of the Humble
Virgin demonstrate his ability to integrate daring stylistic innovations promoted by supporters of the
new artistic movement. He was fully aware of the innovations of the Masters of his time, such as
Masolino and Uccello, whose work featured a more realistic representation of the world with a focus
on the human figure and a new mastery of the rules of perspective.
Although Fra Angelico adopted these new ideas into his work, he stayed faithful to the principles of
medieval religious paintings: his works retained a didactic function, strengthened by the mystical
force he attributes to light. At the heart of the first Florentine Renaissance, which marked a turning
point in European art, Fra Angelico had an important and unique place.
Opening 23 september
Museo Jacquemart-Andre'
158, boulevard Haussmann Paris
Open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open every Monday and Saturdays evening until
9.30 p.m.The tea room is open every day from 11.45 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 15 p.m.
The cultural gift and bookshop is open when the museum is open, including Sundays.
Exhibition audio guide: €3; permanent collection audio guide: free for children under 7 and the disabled.
Family Rate: Pay the admission charge for two adults and one child and the second child gets in free (7 to 17 years).
Groups: Group visits are only subject to reservation: Fill rate: €10
Individual groupes@musee-jacquemart-andre.com. Groups are not admitted to the exhibition rooms after 2.00 pm.
Reduced rate: €8.50 (students, children from 7 to 17, job-seekers)