In keeping with the medieval and Renaissance theme, venture to the ground level of The Met's Robert Lehman Wing to see Fra Angelico, the first ever American exhibition of his works.
On view through Sunday, January 29, 2006, the show examines the creative genius of Fra Angelico (1390/5-1455), the Italian Renaissance master, through some seventy-five largely religious paintings, drawings and manuscript illuminations by his hand. They're accompanied by another forty-five works created by some of the friar's assistants and closest followers. Among the finest masterpieces by the "angelic friar" in the show are his magnificent Virgin of Humility (ca. 1436-38) (pictured here) and his penetrating portrait of Christ Crowned with Thorns (ca. 1438-39).
