Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro)

Fra Angelico, born Guido di Pietro around 1395 in Vicchio, Italy, was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance. He joined the Dominican Order in Fiesole, adopting the name Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, and later became known as Fra Angelico due to his devout nature and the ethereal quality of his work. Active primarily in Florence, he was a key figure in the development of Renaissance art, known for his mastery of fresco and his innovative use of perspective and color. His most significant works include the frescoes in the Convent of San Marco in Florence, which exemplify his ability to blend religious devotion with artistic innovation. Fra Angelico's influence extended beyond his lifetime, impacting subsequent generations of artists with his harmonious compositions and spiritual intensity. He died in Rome in 1455, leaving behind a legacy that earned him beatification by Pope John Paul II in 1982.