Cappella Niccolina: Frescoes by Fra Angelico

Map

The Cappella Niccolina

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The tiny Cappella Niccolina, which was built as a private chapel for Pope Nicholas V (r. 1447-55), is located in one of the oldest parts of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.

The Pope commissioned the Florentine artist Fra Angelico (c. 1395-1455) to paint the frescoes in the chapel; they depict scenes from the lives of St. Stephen (upper level) and St. Lawrence (lower level). ​

Fra Angelico, who was born Guido di Pietro, was a Dominican monk as well as a painter. He died in Rome on February 18th, 1455, and was buried in the Dominican church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.  

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Frescoes by Fra Angelico, Cappella Niccolina