Perugia Altarpiece

The 1430s was a busy decade for Fra Angelico, during which he also produced some of his most famous paintings, such as this altarpiece

The Perugia Altarpiece can be examined as a whole or by studying each panel painting individually. An elaborate Gothic frame holds the series of paintings together and prepares it for display. This stunning piece is relatively well preserved and can now be found at the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria in Perugia, Italy. It is pleasing to see it remain in the city in which it was intended, if not the actual building itself.

Sadly the finished altarpiece was taken apart in the 19th century and some elements were sold off to other parts of the country. This forced copies to be added in the areas now missing. If we take the original format most is considered the work of Fra Angelico's hands alone, including Madonna Enthroned with Child and Angels that takes up the central panel and several depictions of Christian saints to be found on the left hand side. St John the Baptist and St Catherine of Alexandria who sit opposite may have had involvement from members of his studio.

Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria in Perugia hosts several other significant paintings from the Renaissance and is well worth a visit, as is the city itself. Much of it is from local artists from the across the region of Umbria but there is also a more general selection of Renaissance artists such as Beato Angelico, Benozzo Gozzoli, Piero della Francesca, Duccio di Boninsegna and Pietro Perugino.