St. Matthew 1424

Fra Angelico created this image of St. Matthew in tempera and gold leaf on panel. Notice how the composition is dominated by soft pink hues, gently outlining the saint's form, which gives the whole work a peaceful, contemplative quality. The linear folds of St. Matthew's robes guide the eye downwards, creating a sense of verticality that is gently grounded by the small, darker patterned section at the bottom. This contrasts with the gold halo, which flattens the figure. The halo is a symbolic marker, delineating a sacred presence in an otherwise earthy palette. Fra Angelico uses line and color to create both depth and flatness simultaneously. The book, adorned with stars, is rendered in deep blue, and held by St. Matthew, which further contributes to the formal balance of color and light, making for a visually structured experience. Ultimately, this invites us to reflect on the interplay between the divine and the human.