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Fra Angelico, 'Blessing Redeemer', about 1423

About the work

This painting on panel, which has been attributed to the workshop of Fra Angelico, was evidently the pinnacle of an altarpiece.

It has been suggested that it was above the central panel of Fra Angelico’s polyptych painted for the church of San Domenico in Fiesole, Italy. The predella is in the National Gallery Collection. This panel is not of the same technical quality as the predella, although this may be accounted for by the fact that as a pinnacle it would have been high up and not easily visible.

This painting is on loan from His Majesty The King

Key facts

Full title
Blessing Redeemer
Artist
Fra Angelico
Artist dates
active 1417; died 1455
Date made
about 1423
Medium and support
Tempera on wood
Dimensions
28 × 22 cm
Acquisition credit
On loan from His Majesty The King
Inventory number
L10
Location
Not on display
Image copyright
On loan from His Majesty The King, © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

More works by Fra Angelico

(Showing 6 of 7 works)
Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven
Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven
Fra Angelico
Christ, hovering on wispy clouds, is surrounded by angels who sing, dance and play musical instruments. He is shown triumphant over death: his red and white flag was associated with his resurrection; the wound in his right hand, caused when he was crucified, is a reminder of his physical sufferin...
Not on display
Saint Romulus: Frame Panel
Saint Romulus: Frame Panel
Fra Angelico
We can piece together who this saint is: his mitre (hat) and crosier (crook) identify him as a bishop, and a faint inscription in white paint to his right reads ‘OL VS’. The inscription on the left probably read ‘ROM’, identifying him when both sides were put together as Romulus.This seems likely...
Not on display
The Dominican Blessed
The Dominican Blessed
Fra Angelico
The Dominican Blessed, both friars and nuns, dressed in the distinctive black and white habits of the Dominican Order, are neatly lined up in rows. The Blessed were holy figures belonging to the Order (founded by Saint Dominic in 1215) who were venerated locally after death. Some, like Vincent Fe...
Not on display
The Dominican Blessed
The Dominican Blessed
Fra Angelico
This panel shows the Dominican Blessed, both tertiaries (those who lived in general society rather than a convent, but were allied to the Dominican Order) and friars. They're dressed in their distinctive black and white habits, neatly lined up in rows.The Blessed were holy figures belonging to th...
Not on display
The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs
The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs
Fra Angelico
This panel comes from the predella (the lowest part) of an altarpiece made for the church of San Domenico, Fiesole, near Florence. Its figures look towards the central panel, which shows Christ resurrected from the dead.Lined up in neat rows are – from top to bottom – 21 biblical figures regarded...
Not on display
The Virgin Mary with the Apostles and Other Saints
The Virgin Mary with the Apostles and Other Saints
Fra Angelico
This panel comes from the predella (the lowest part) of an altarpiece made for the church of San Domenico, Fiesole, near Florence. Its saints face right toward the central panel, which shows Christ in glory after his resurrection from the dead.The Virgin kneels at the head of the top row of saint...
Not on display
The Vision of the Dominican Habit
The Vision of the Dominican Habit
Workshop of Fra Angelico
This little scene was once hidden on the inside of a cupboard door – damage on the left hand border shows that there was once a door hinge there. Its reverse – the front of the door – is decorated with abstract patterns.The story tells how the Blessed Reginald, once the dean to the Bishop of Orle...
Not on display
You've viewed 6 of 7 works