@st.sisto: Why do Fra Angelico’s angels look so unlike anything in nature? In this detail from the Annunciation, Gabriel’s wings are anything but realistic. Bold bands of red, blue, black and gold transform them into something almost abstract. For Fra Angelico, the point wasn’t anatomical accuracy. These wings announce that Gabriel belongs to a different realm - a heavenly messenger appearing within an earthly space. Nearly 600 years later, they still look strangely modern. And perhaps that’s the genius of Fra Angelico: he made heaven feel unfamiliar. #FraAngelico #Annunciation #ChristianArt #RenaissanceArt #ArtHistory