ROME – The habit of celebrations – a very trendy specialty– allows the renewal of history of art. The opportunities are somewhat constraining but it’s the result that counts… An example is Fra Angelico (1405-1459) who is entitled to a national celebration for the 550th anniversary of his death though nothing was done to commemorate the 600th anniversary of his birth, four years ago. The culmination is an exhibition at the Musei Capitolini, the most important ever dedicated to the famous painter since 1955. His later, Roman period is particularly well illustrated with the triptych from galleria Corsini and the recently restored altarpiece of Bosco ai Frati. The works enlightened under the instructions of the master represent an original section, while a few pieces are brought together for the first time, such as the predella of Zagreb (Saint Francis receiving the Stigmata ) or t he Annunciation of Dresden. A reflectographic study by the Ecole normale of Pisa, of which the results are presented, confirm Fra Angelico was a very «sure» artist: very few repentances have been found on his works.

Beato Angelico at the Musei Capitolini, from 8 April to 5 June 2009.