A long-forgotten fresco by the early Renaissance master Fra Angelico, believed to be his earliest known work, has been restored in the chapter house of San Domenico in Fiesole, Tuscany. The painting, a Crucifixion dating to around 1420, was hidden under whitewash for centuries and rediscovered by Bottega Belacqua, a group of Renaissance art enthusiasts. Funding from Friends of Florence enabled conservators Alessandra Popple and Cristiana Conti to revive the work, just in time for a landmark exhibition in Florence.
This restoration matters because it sheds new light on the early career of Fra Angelico, a pivotal figure in the transition from medieval to Renaissance art. His early works are rare, and this fresco offers scholars and the public a unique glimpse into his artistic beginnings. The project also highlights the role of grassroots preservation efforts and the ongoing importance of protecting cultural heritage in remote locations.