Artist: Fra Angelico
Style: Early Renaissance
Date: 1442
Size: 180 x 146 cm
Technique: Frescoes
Introduction
Fra Angelico, also known as Guido di Pietro, was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance. He is best known for his frescoes in the Convento di San Marco in Florence, Italy, which he created between 1438 and 1450. One of his most famous works from this period is the painting 'Touch Me Not' (Noli me tangere), which depicts a scene from the New Testament where Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection.
Details of the Painting
The painting 'Touch Me Not' is a fresco on wall, with dimensions of 180 x 146 cm. It was created in 1440-1442 and is an excellent example of Fra Angelico's contemplative melancholy and refined spirituality. The scene depicts Jesus standing before Mary Magdalene, who has fallen to her knees in front of him. Jesus says to her, 'Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father' (John 20:17). The painting is characterized by its austere yet full of meditative inspiration for the brethren. The arrangement of the flowers in the image is particularly striking, with two shades of color but the lively red color at the top and most evident. This creates few reliefs and improves the rhythm of the image.
Interpretation
The painting 'Touch Me Not' has been interpreted in various ways by art historians. Some believe that the flowers in the image represent the stigmata (the nail wound marks) on Jesus' foot, which he sowed in the earthly world to make new humanity grow. This is supported by the fact that the flowers are arranged in groups of five, similar to the stigmata. Others have noted the connection between this painting and the Annunciation in the hallway outside the cell, which serves to visually connect these two stages of redemption: Christ’s “flowering,” or conception, in the womb of Mary and his flowering forth from the womb of the earth on Easter.
Conclusion
The painting 'Touch Me Not' by Fra Angelico is a masterpiece of Early Renaissance art. It is a powerful representation of the scene from the New Testament, characterized by its contemplative melancholy and refined spirituality. The arrangement of the flowers in the image adds to its beauty and symbolism, making it a must-see for anyone interested in Renaissance art.
- To learn more about Fra Angelico and his frescoes at Museo di San Marco, visit our page Discover the Beauty of Museo di San Marco (Florence, Italy).
- To explore other works by Fra Angelico, visit our page The Museum of San Marco, Florence: A Haven for Renaissance Art.
by Fra Angelico is a masterpiece that showcases the artist's contemplative melancholy and refined spirituality. The painting's arrangement of flowers adds to its beauty and symbolism, making it a must-see for anyone interested in Renaissance art. At Wikioo.org, we offer high-quality hand-made oil paintings reproductions of this masterpiece that can add a touch of elegance to any space. Visit our website today to learn more about our products and services.
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