The Annunciation, from C. 1440 Altarpiece of Convent of MontecarloBy Fra Angelico

Fra Angelico (1400 – 1455) was a Dominican monk whose remarkable works expressed a passionate spirituality and a deep sensitivity for human emotions. Born Giovanni da Fiesole in Italy, Angelico solely created religious works, and always prayed before painting. The artistic leading light of Florence throughout his career, Angelico innovated many early Renaissance trends, including receding perspective, Realism and underlying narrative. With extraordinary clarity of line and color, Angelico crafted numerous altarpieces, private devotional works, and frescoes intended to inspire prayer and contemplation. Angelico’s art is displayed at numerous museums, including Paris’ Louvre, Florence’s Museo di San Marco and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.