The Last Judgement Fra Angelico (1400-1455)

Here we observe a monumental composition depicting a scene of profound religious significance. The upper register is dominated by a celestial realm, framed within a gilded arch. Within this space, numerous figures – presumably saints and angels – are arranged in tiers, their faces exhibiting expressions of solemnity and reverence. At the apex sits a central figure, radiating light and authority, flanked by further groupings of similar beings.
Below this heavenly sphere unfolds a vast expanse representing the earthly plane during a moment of ultimate reckoning. A deep blue chasm divides the composition horizontally, symbolizing the separation between salvation and damnation. On one side, a procession of figures moves towards the central space, their gestures suggesting supplication or anticipation. They are depicted amidst verdant foliage, hinting at a connection to nature and earthly life.
The opposite side presents a stark contrast: a chaotic scene of torment and despair. Figures are shown in various states of suffering, surrounded by flames and grotesque demonic entities. The artist has employed a dramatic use of light and shadow to accentuate the horror of this realm. A prominent architectural element – a large, open tomb or sarcophagus – is positioned centrally within the earthly plane, serving as a focal point for the movement of souls towards their ultimate destination.
The composition’s structure suggests a hierarchical order: heaven above, earth below, with judgment occurring at the dividing line. The sheer number of figures and the scale of the scene convey the magnitude of the event being portrayed – a universal accounting of human actions. The inclusion of both serene hope and terrifying dread underscores the gravity of moral choices and their eternal consequences. The overall effect is one of awe-inspiring grandeur, intended to inspire piety and a contemplation of mortality.