St. Roche 1440

Fra Angelico painted St. Roche, likely in the 1420s or 30s, in tempera on a wooden panel. The image emphasizes the saint's status as a pilgrim, recognisable by his staff and satchel. These details speak to a culture of religious pilgrimage in Italy at the time. We also see the bubonic plague sore on his thigh. St. Roche is the patron saint of plague sufferers, and this artistic choice serves to inspire hope and faith during times of widespread disease. Angelico was a friar of the Dominican Order, and their religious and political views would have shaped his work. We might also consider that the painting is now in a German museum. Museums played a key role in the development of art history as a discipline. By researching Angelico's affiliations and the history of this work, we can better understand its meaning and significance.