Fra Angelico: Preaching Truth through Beauty

St. Dominic did not leave us books or treatises, but he left something far greater: an Order of Preachers, a legacy of lives dedicated to proclaiming the truth for the salvation of souls. Over the centuries, Dominicans have preached in countless ways, adapting their methods to the needs of their times and audiences. This diversity, rooted in the common mission to preach, reveals the richness of the Dominican vocation.

Originally, most friars remained in the cloister, focusing on prayer and their own sanctification. Only a few were allowed to venture out to preach in public squares. (1) Today, the Order continues this mission with a breadth of styles: from the academic and public lectures of the Thomistic Institute to the silent witness of cloistered nuns. Cooperator brothers preach in hospitals, universities, and within Dominican communities, while friars find unique paths, such as serving as spiritual directors for Silicon Valley executives. Each mode of preaching reflects the needs of the world and the talents of the preacher.

Among these diverse approaches, the art of Fra Angelico shines as a profound form of Dominican preaching. Born Guido di Pietro in the Republic of Florence in 1400, Fra Angelico demonstrated artistic brilliance from a young age. By seventeen, he was a renowned lay artist and manuscript illuminator. Around 1420, he entered the Order of Preachers alongside his twin brother, Benedetto, taking the name Brother Domenico. From his cell in the San Domenico priory in Fiesole, he began to use his artistic gifts for a higher purpose: to lift souls to God.

Fra Angelico’s art was deeply influenced by classical aesthetics, yet it pushed back against the rising tide of humanism, instead drawing hearts toward divine realities. His frescos, especially those in the San Marco priory in Florence, transformed the convent into a spiritual haven. Each cell became a sanctuary adorned with depictions of Christ’s and the saints’ lives, inviting friars to meditate on the mysteries of salvation. 

Here at the Priory of St. Albert the Great in Irving, TX, we are blessed to have a beautiful reproduction of Fra Angelico’s Annunciation of Cortona. This piece is located in the stairwell between the refectory and the cloister, so that every time we walk towards the cloister, towards a more contemplative space, we are reminded by Fra Angelico’s artistic preaching of Mary’s “yes.” It is a vivid example of how his work continues to speak to us, drawing us into the mysteries of faith.

In Rome, under the patronage of Pope Eugene IV, Fra Angelico’s art graced some of the Vatican's most sacred spaces. He refused the prestigious position of Archbishop of Florence, which was instead accepted by his Dominican brother and mentor, St. Antoninus of Florence. His holy life earned him widespread veneration, and not long after his death in 1455 at Santa Maria sopra Minerva, he became known as “Angelico” for his heavenly art.

Fra Angelico preached not with words, but through beauty. His art speaks of the truth of the Gospel, drawing souls closer to the Lord. As Dominicans, we can find inspiration in his life and work. Preaching takes many forms, whether through words, deeds, or, as in the case of Fra Angelico, the stroke of a brush. All are united in their aim: to bring the light of truth to the world for the salvation of souls.