St. Peter Martyr 1440

Fra Angelico created this devotional panel of St. Peter Martyr during the Early Renaissance, a period marked by a revival of classical learning and humanist values. Dominican friar Peter of Verona was a staunch defender of the Catholic faith against heresy. The wounds on his head aren’t merely symbolic; they represent his martyrdom at the hands of assassins. Fra Angelico’s choice to depict Peter, holding both a palm frond of martyrdom and a book, signals his unwavering commitment to his faith, even to death. Born Guido di Pietro, Fra Angelico entered the Dominican order, where he synthesized religious devotion with artistic skill. His works often served a didactic purpose, teaching Christian doctrine and promoting moral virtue. Consider how this image reinforces the institutional power of the church, while also inviting a personal, emotional connection to the suffering and sacrifice of St. Peter Martyr.