Virgin and Child (circa 1430, Harvard Art Museums, Fogg Museum)

This painting is loosely dated to around 1430 and has been attributed to Fra Angelico, as well as a number of other artists from around that period. It can now be found in the collection of the Fogg Museum and is one of a number of depictions of the Virgin and Child from his oeuvre.

The painting is 30cm in width and 40cm in height, and this relatively small size combined with the simple detail would suggest that the artwork was designed to be a devotional piece, hung in a patron's private residence. The artist would receive a variety of commissions as his career progressed, and the location of this piece in a private setting might explain how less information now remains on it. A painting within a church, for example, is likely to have been documented many times over the years and perhaps its commission would be mentioned in the institution's accounts. This Virgin and Child work has been attributed to both Zanobi Strozzi and Masolino at times, but most art experts today feel more comfortable with an attribution to Fra Angelico instead. Strozzi was actually an assistant of his, and they would often work collaboratively on larger projects, but this piece seems more likely to have been carried out by a single individual.

The simple artwork places the Virgin in a standing position, with a patterned background sitting behind. She is dressed in a red dress with a dark cloak which covers her hair. There is also a translucent cloth that sits between these two layers and the artist produces touches of detail around her neckline. She looks off into the distance whilst holding the child on her left arm. The latter is in a pink outfit with white trim and both have pinkish cheeks which represents good health. The child has its right hand lifted up in a symbolic gesture, whilst holding a pink flower in his other hand.

Whilst there remains a small list of highlights from this artist's career, there are many more artworks to be found spread across Fra Angelico's career. There are over 150 paintings in total which are confidently attributed to his hand, with many more holding more tenuous links that have been challenged. Few artists from this period left behind such a large body of work and there was also an impressive consistency of style and quality found across the full span of his lifetime. This artist sits prominently amongst the major figures of the Early Renaissance, being mentioned alongside the likes of Giotto and Botticelli, with a particular style which is surprisingly recognisable amongst the somewhat repetitive content found across this period of Italian art. His major works would have to include the likes of Annunciation (Fra Angelico, San Marco), The Last Judgement and San Marco Altarpiece.