Saint Alexander

The painting Saint Alexander by Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro) is an early masterpiece executed between 1420 and 1430, a period bridging the International Gothic style and the nascent Florentine Renaissance. This devotional panel exemplifies the radiant luminosity achieved through the meticulous tempera on wood technique, utilizing a traditional gold ground that emphasizes the figure's sacred status and provides a shimmering backdrop.

The figure, identified by the title, is depicted in the formal vestments appropriate for a Bishop. Angelico masterfully renders the textures of his elaborate silk robes, adorned with intricate patterns, and the richly jeweled miter that crowns his head. In his left hand, the Saint clutches a distinctive crozier, the staff symbolizing his pastoral authority and ecclesiastical rank within the church. Angelico’s balanced composition and strict adherence to theological purity make this portrait an enduring example of devotional art of the period.

This piece originated likely as a component of a larger polyptych or altarpiece complex, a common format for sacred commissions in fifteenth-century Florence. The work is now a prized component of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection, where it offers critical insight into quattrocento Italian painting. Given the age and classification of the original tempera work, high-quality digital prints of this revered public domain artwork are often made available for study and appreciation worldwide, allowing access to the details of Angelico's unparalleled craftsmanship.