Coronation of the Virgin (1430-1435) by Fra Angelico in the Uffizi
Amuze Art Talk #31: A detailed discussion of the Coronation of the Virgin, painted by Fra Angelico between 1430 and 1435. This work is on display in the Uffizi Museum.
This is the coronation of the Virgin Mary.
We are looking at a scene in paradise.
Jesus and Mary are on top of a series of small clouds in the center,
and Jesus crowns his mother as the Queen of Heaven.
This occurs after Mary has been assumed into heaven.
In ancient times, it was common for the king's mother to be crowned queen.
Mary looks very humble,
and Jesus puts a golden crown with a large diamond on her head.
They are surrounded by a mix of angels, saints, and other blessed people.
You can recognize several angels throughout the painting by their wings.
This is a party.
The angels are playing music and dancing.
You can see three dancing angels directly to the left of Mary,
and three others directly to the right of Jesus.
On the top right and left, you can see several trumpets high up in the air,
and in the center foreground,
you can see two angels playing a portable organ and string instrument.
Fra Angelico certainly succeeded in creating a festive event,
but more noticeable than that is the abundance of gold in this painting.
True.
The background is covered in gold leaf,
and this also comes back in the halos and outfits of all the people.
The practice was very common in Gothic art.
As gold leaf was expensive,
it signified that the content of the painting was very important.
Common people could not afford this gold,
and seeing such a painting made a big impression on them,
which is exactly what the commissioner had in mind.