Fiesole Gallery

St Peter ordaining St Stephen Deacon, mid 15th century. Artist: Fra Angelico

St Peter ordaining St Stephen Deacon, mid 15th century. St Stephen (dc35), a deacon of the early Christian church in Jerusalem, was found guilty of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin. He was stoned to death, so becoming the first Christian martyr. Fresco in the Chapel of Nicholas V, Vatican, Rome, dedicated to St Stephen and St Laurence

© Art Media / Heritage-Images

Florence from the olive gardens of San Domenico, Italy

"In our wanderings amongst the gardens and olive grounds we used to be joined by the children of Walter Savage Landor, who was at the time residing with his wife and family in a villa near Fiesole. A more joyous and happy company of children than we formed could not well be imagined. Even at the early age ... I was never tired, stretched under the shadow of an olive-tree, of contemplating the glorious view of Florence beneathe, with the majestic cupola of Brunelleschi and the graceful campanile of Giotto rising above the city." - A. H. Laynard. Date: 1904

© Mary Evans Picture Library

The Annunciation, 1425-8 (tempera on wood)

3247719 The Annunciation, 1425-8 (tempera on wood) by Angelico, Fra (Guido di Pietro) (c.1387-1455); 194x194 cm; Prado, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: Altarpiece originally commissioned for the Church of San Domenico in Fiesole, later sold and taken to Spain. The predella underneath the Annunciation has five small scenes illustrating the story of the Virgin including Mary's birth, her marriage to Saint Joseph, her visit to her cousin Saint Elisabeth, the birth of Jesus, and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. On the left Adam and Eve are being expelled from Paradise.
); Italian, out of copyright

© Prado, Madrid, Spain / Bridgeman Images