Major Fra Angelico Restoration at Strozzi Show

Restored with funding from the Friends of Florence, Fra Angelico’s Deposition of the Santa Trinita is now exhibited at the Palazzo Strozzi show dedicated to the artist whose works bridged the International Gothic and Renaissance styles

Currently displayed at Palazzo Strozzi through January 25, 2026, Fra Angelico’s masterpiece, Deposition of the Santa Trinita, has returned to the public eye after an extensive and intricate restoration project. Normally housed in the San Marco Museum, the artwork, is a major display in the current exhibition dedicated to the significant cornerstone in the artistic evolution of the artist, which showcases Beato Angelico’s innovative approach to religious painting. 

Originally commissioned between 1429 and 1432 by Pala Strozzi to honour his father Onofrio, the painting was intended for the sacristy of the Church of Santa Trinita, which was later transformed into a family chapel. With this work, Angelico disrupts the traditional model of medieval altarpieces, which is characterised by the juxtaposition of several panels painted separately and divided by small columns and spires. The work also presents the tomes of a veritable theatre scene. 

The painting features a densely packed foreground with 28 figures, all engaged in the deposition of Christ from the cross. The central focus is on Christ’s lifeless body, which is supported by figures who scramble up two ladders to hold him. The grieving Marys flank the central scene, intensifying the emotion of the composition. Among the figures in the foreground is a kneeling young man in contemporary attire, believed to be Blessed Alessio Strozzi. His presence serves as a bridge between the observer and the sacred event.

The two-year restoration effort has revived the vibrancy and depth of Fra Angelico’s painting, bringing back to life its original transparency and luminosity. Over time, old varnishes and previous cleanings had caused abrasions and diminished the painting’s volume and perspective, making it appear flattened and opaque. The meticulous retouching process has successfully repaired these damages, revealing intricate details, including the Tuscan countryside hills and a turreted city representing Jerusalem, which also subtly alludes to Florence.

The Beato Angelico show, a highly anticipated event, curated by Carl Brandon Strehlke, with Angeli Tartuferi and Stefano Casciu, is hosted at both Palazzo Strozzi and the San Marco museum, celebrating the enduring legacy of Fra Angelico’s artistry. (Mina Lozanova)