Masaccio and Fra Angelico. A dialogue on truth in painting
September 16, 2022 to January 1, 2023
Museo delle Terre Nuove & Museo della Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, San Giovanni Valdarno, Toscana, Italy
Masaccio returns to his birthplace, Castel San Giovanni, in a dialogue with Fra Angelico
A new exhibition in Castel San Giovanni celebrates the birth of the legendary Masaccio (1401–1428) by placing him in direct dialogue with his contemporary, Fra Angelico (c. 1395–1455). Hosted across the Museo delle Terre Nuove and the Museo della Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie, this show explores the groundbreaking innovations that redefined art history.
At the Museo delle Terre Nuove, visitors can admire Madonna and Child depictions by Masaccio, Masolino, and Lo Scheggia, alongside works by Masaccio’s circle, including Mariotto di Cristofano and Andrea di Giusto. Meanwhile, the Museo della Basilica serves as a dedicated stage for Fra Angelico, featuring a spectacular array of his paintings, with a special emphasis on his mastery of the Annunciation.
By bridging these two venues—and including nearby sites like the church of San Lorenzo—the exhibition invites viewers to witness the mutual influence between these titans of the Renaissance. It is an engaging opportunity to reflect on the pursuit of truth through art.
