Fra Angelico. The Virgin of Humility

Fra Angelico. The Virgin of Humility, sponsored by Banco Urquijo, is the 18th in the Thyssen-Bornemisza’s Contexts of the Permanent Collection series. On this occasion the focus of the exhibition is the magnificent panel by the Italian artist normally on display at the Museu d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), but which can be seen in Madrid this spring. The exhibition analyses two types of Virgins that were widely represented in art over the centuries, and of which the collection has particularly fine examples. They are the Virgin of Humility and the Virgin enthroned with the Christ Child. It also looks at precedents for the pose of the Virgin of Humility to be found in scenes of the Adoration of the Magi as well as in other Marian themes which present Mary as Queen of Heaven.