Church

 

 Convent of S.Dominic of Fiesole: Church  

The outside portico and the graceful church-tower were bullit by Matteo Nigetti (1569-1649).

The interior of the church, completely transformed at the beginning of the 16th century, was decorated by the painters M. Bonechi, R. Botti and L. Del Moro (XVIII).

 

The Vault of the Nave: St. Dominic carried into heaven by angels.  Above the Presbytery: The Virgin handing the rosary to St. Dominic and through im to the people of the four continents.

 

 Fra Angelico: triptych of Fiesole

 

The first chapel on the left: painting by Fra Angelico, once a triptych on the High Altar, painting on frame by Lorenzo di Credi (d. 1537).

 

The history of the triptych
here

 

Other two panels, painted by Fra Angelico for the church, are no more placed in their location: the Annunziata (Saint Mary Annunciate) was sold by the friars in 1611; the Incoronata (the Coronation of Mary) was... stolen by order of Napoleon (1809).

 

 

G.A.Sogliani: Adoration of the Magi

 

The second chapel: The Adoration of the Magi, a painting by Gian Antonio Sogliani (d. 1542).

 

 

 

 

 

The third chapel: The Annunciation by Jacopo Chimenti da Empoli (d. 1640). On the right wall a wooden crucifix from the Sangallo School.

The Presbytery: A work by the architect, M. Nigetti, has at its centre a solemn Baroque tabernacle behind which you can see a large 62 stall Choir of the sixteenth century, built partially in walnut.

 

Coming down from the Presbytery, the first chapel on the left is dedicated to St. Antoninus whose first wooden coffin can be seen under the altar.  The picture by an unknown painter (18th century) represents the saint as a young man asking permission from B. John Dominic to enter the Dominican Order.

 

In the centre of the second chapel there is a canvas by Lorenzo Gelati (d. 1893), representing Our Lady of the Rosary in the traditional manner.  On the wall, a copy of The Virgin and Saints by Perugino.  The original was transferred to the Uffizi by the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1789. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the right, The Baptism of Jesus,

a remarkable painting on wood by Lorenzo di Credi.

 

 

Lorenzo di Credi: Baptism of Jesus
 Crucifix of St. Donato from Scotland

 

The third chapel: On the altar a wooden crucifix which the Society of St. Donato from Scotland transferred from the Badia Fiesolana to the new parish church (1778). 

On the right wall: A Crucifixion with St. Gerolamo, attributed to the school of Andrea del Castagno.

 

 

 

To be hold in due consideration also the wooden Sacristy (XVII century) and, in the presbitery, the artistic pews, obtained from more ancient Florentine furnitures.

 

 

 

During the Napoleonic period the adjoining Convent was deprived of its artistic possessions, including many of the frescoes by Fra Angelico.
Fortunately, there remains, on the central wall of the ancient Chapter Room, an impressive fresco of the Crucifixion by Angelico.

On the wall to the side, there has been placed, after being transferred to panels, a fresco of the Blessed Virgin with Child, with its related sinopite, which was discovered during the repairs in 1960.  Before the construction of the outside Portico, this painting was above the main doorway into the Church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

versione italiana