We have located a very important conservation project for Prof. Emilio Bizzi in the San Marco Museum of Florence for Fra Angelico’s Crucifixion with San Domenico (1442 circa) in the Cloister of Sant’Antonino. The fresco is immediately visible as one enters the cloister and was commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici.
The large fresco depicts Christ on the Cross in a deserted landscape with a simple terrain and a blue lapis lazuli sky. The founder of the Dominican order is at the foot of the Cross while Christ is in chiaro scuro following the style of Masaccio. Fra Angelico has created images that are essential and without decoration that the monks of the monastery could contemplate following the example of San Domenico.
During the redecoration of the Cloister at the end of the 1500’s two figures were placed on each side of the fresco by the painter Cecco Bravo of the weeping Madonna and San Giovanni (St John) and then later decor was also added around the fresco.
