The ''St. Peter of Verona Triptych'' (Italian: ''Trittico di San Pietro Martire'') is a painting by the Italian early Renaissance master Fra Angelico, executed around 1428–1429. It is housed in the National Museum of San Marco, Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy.

History

The work is Fra Angelico's first documented work. It comes from the convent of San Pietro Martire and a document from 30 March 1429 notes a sum of 20 florins owed to the convent of San Domenico, Fiesole, where the painter was a monk. According to some art historians, it could be contemporary of the '' Virgin and Child with Saint Anne'' (1424–1425) by

Masaccio Masaccio (, , ; December 21, 1401 – summer 1428), born Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Simone, was a Florentine artist who is regarded as the first great Italian painter of the Quattrocento period of the Italian Renaissance. According to Vasari, ...

and Masolino da Panicale, although it lacks the use of compartments which at the time were widespread.

Description

In the center of the work is a '' Maestà'' (Madonna Enthroned with Child) and, at the sides, are the Saints Dominic, John the Baptist, Peter of Verona, and Thomas Aquinas. In the cusps are lobed tondoes with the ''Annunciation Angel'', the ''Annunciation'' and, in the center, ''Blessing Christ''. Between the cusps are scenes of the life of St. Peter of Verona (''Predication'' and ''Martyrdom''). The Madonna sits on a brocaded seat, with the Child standing on her knees. She is holding an ampulla, a reference to

Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene (sometimes called Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine) was a woman who, according to the four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to crucifixion of Jesus, his cru ...

's ampulla and thus to Jesus' passion. The Child wears a tunic with rich golden decoration. His hand holds a globe, a symbol of his power, while the other hands is raised in a blessing gesture. The relative lack of decoration, compared to Angelico's earlier Fiesole Altarpiece (1424–1425), which was still heavily based on Gentile da Fabriano's style, show the growing influence of Masaccio and a more realistic approach.

External links

Web Gallery of Art

Sources

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{{Fra Angelico 1420s paintings Paintings by Fra Angelico Paintings of the Madonna and Child Triptychs Paintings in the collection of the Museo Nazionale di San Marco Altarpieces Paintings on gold backgrounds category:Paintings depicting John the Baptist category:Paintings of Saint Dominic Paintings of Thomas Aquinas Paintings of Peter of Verona