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Artwork

Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor

Fra Angelico , 1447

Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor, by Fra Angelico, unspecified, 1447
Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor, by Fra Angelico, unspecified, 1447

Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Fra Angelico. It dates from 1447 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows the Virgin seated on a throne holding the infant Christ, flanked by Saints Peter and Paul and Saint George, with four attendant angels and a donor figure presented in donor pose. The composition follows standard Renaissance devotional iconography in which the Virgin and Child function as the central sacred focus, saints are identified by traditional attributes (Peter with keys, Paul with sword) and angels serve as heavenly witnesses, while the donor's presence indicates personal patronage and devotional intent. The work embodies the religious devotion of the mid‑15th‑century Florentine church, emphasizing intercessory prayer and the donor's participation in sacred narrative.

Technique & Style

The altarpiece was executed in tempera on wood panel, a common technique for Italian Renaissance devotional painting.

The altarpiece was executed in tempera on wood panel, a common technique for Italian Renaissance devotional painting. The work measures 24.9 cm in height by 24.8 cm in width and was originally created for private contemplation in a Florentine convent. Its composition combines a central enthroned Virgin and Child with flanking saints Peter and Paul and attendant angels, while a donor figure is positioned at the lower edge, rendered with delicate modeling and subtle drapery.

The surface shows fine brushwork and a luminous color palette characteristic of Fra Angelico's mature style, reflecting both devotional intensity and formal balance.

History & Provenance

Created by Fra Angelico in 1447, this religious painting depicts the Virgin and Child enthroned alongside Saints Peter, Paul, and George, four angels, and a donor. The work dates specifically to January 1, 1447, situating it firmly within the Italian Renaissance movement. Currently held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the piece measures 24.9 cm in height and 24.8 cm in width.

While the specific commissioning patron and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the Boston museum are not detailed in the available records, the work is recognized as a significant example of Fra Angelico's devotional output from the late 1440s.

Overview

Created in 1447 by the Florentine Dominican painter Fra Angelico, this tempera panel presents the Virgin enthroned with the infant Christ, accompanied by a group of saints, angels, and a kneeling patron. The composition reflects the devotional focus of early Renaissance art and is now housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Context

Fra Angelico’s oeuvre is dominated by religious subjects, and this painting exemplifies his role in the transition from medieval iconography to the human-centered perspective of the Renaissance. The inclusion of multiple saints and angels reflects contemporary devotional practices that emphasized intercession and the patron’s personal piety.

Madonna and Child Enthroned with Four Saints
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Four Saints

Artist & collection

Portrait of Fra Angelico

Artist

Fra Angelico

Fra Giovanni da Fiesole (born Guido di Pietro; c. 1395 – 18 February 1455), known posthumously as Fra Angelico ( FRAH an-JEL-ik-oh, Italian: ), was an Italian Dominican friar and painter active during the early…

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor?

Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor was painted by Fra Angelico in 1447-01-01.

Where can I see Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor?

Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor?

Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor is associated with High Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor?

Museum-quality prints of Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Peter, Paul and George (?), Four Angels, and a Donor are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.