San Marco Altarpiece (1438-40)
by Fra ANGELICO

The San Marco Altarpiece was removed and dismembered in the seventeenth century during the renovation of the church belonging to the Convent of San Marco and dedicated to the two medical saints, Cosmas and Damian. In addition to the main painting representing the Virgin and Child Enthroned with Angels and Saints, there were 9 predella pictures, seven in the front and two on the lateral sides. Only two of the predella paintings remained in the Convent, all the others are now in different museums (in Washington, Munich, Dublin and Paris).

Based on the results of thorough research, scholars agreed in the reconstruction of the altarpiece. The predella pictures depict the story of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian on eight small panels, while the nineth, located in the centre, represents the Entombment (Pietà).

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 22 minutes):
Heinrich Schütz: Magnificat

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
San Marco Altarpiece
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 220 x 227 cm
Museo di San Marco, Florence

1145*1100
True Color
246 Kb



San Marco Altarpiece (detail)
1438-40
Tempera on wood
Museo di San Marco, Florence

907*900
True Color
179 Kb



The Healing of Palladia by Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian
1438-40
Tempera and gold on panel, 36 x 46 cm
National Gallery of Art, Washington

1327*1000
True Color
190 Kb



Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian before Lisius
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 38 x 45 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

1104*900
True Color
175 Kb



Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian Salvaged
1438-40
Tempera and gold on panel, 38 x 45 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

1200*936
True Color
204 Kb



Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian Condamned
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 37 x 46 cm
National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin

1146*900
True Color
200 Kb



Entombment
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 38 x 46 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

1144*900
True Color
188 Kb



Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian Crucifixed and Stoned
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 38 x 46 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

1139*893
True Color
182 Kb



Beheading of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 36 x 46 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

1124*900
True Color
199 Kb



Sepulchring of Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 37 x 45 cm
Museo di San Marco, Florence

1151*900
True Color
204 Kb



The Healing of Justinian by Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 37 x 45 cm
Museo di San Marco, Florence

1248*900
True Color
159 Kb



St Jerome
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 39 x 14 cm
Lindenau-Museum, Altenburg

473*1400
True Color
132 Kb



St Roche
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 39 x 14 cm
Lindenau-Museum, Altenburg

474*1400
True Color
128 Kb



St Bernard
1438-40
Tempera on wood, 37 x 15 cm
Lindenau-Museum, Altenburg

468*1400
True Color
149 Kb



St Romuald
c. 1440
Tempera on wood
Private collection

476*1400
True Color
139 Kb



St Peter Martyr
1340-45
Tempera on wood
Royal Collection, Hampton Court

479*1400
True Color
122 Kb



St Thomas Aquinas
1340-45
Tempera on wood
Collezione Vittorio Cini, Venice

482*1400
True Color
124 Kb




Summary of paintings by Fra Angelico
Altarpieces
San Domenico | Prado | Linaioli | Last Judgment | Annunciation
Cortona Triptych | Perugia | San Marco | Trinità | Various
Frescoes
Convent of San Marco: cells, others | Cappella Niccolina
Other works
Armadio degli Argenti | Various panels | Miscellaneous