ROSSELLI, Francesco
(b. 1445, Firenze, d. before 1513, Firenze)

The Last Judgment

1480s
Engraving
National Gallery of Art, Washington

The composition is derived from the Last Judgment by Fra Angelico (now in the Museo San Marco, Venice). However, against the obvious similarity of composition and the literal repetition of major details, the engraving shows numerous discrepancies that can be only partially explained by the need to compress the uneven outline of the painted original into the rectangular shape of the panel. Given also the particular moment in time in which he was working, it is possible that Rosselli may have intended to update the by-then remote reference to Fra Angelico in the light of a more disquieting mysticism as preached by Savonarola.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 8 minutes):
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem K 626: Dies irae