Coronation of the Virgin, detail – Angels playing music Fra Angelico (1400-1455)

In this detail from the Coronation of the Virgin, an angel positioned to the left is depicted playing a portative organ. The angel is adorned in a flowing blue robe with intricate gold detailing on the cuffs and a decorative belt. Their winged form is rendered with textured golden wings. The organ, an early medieval keyboard instrument, features a row of vertical pipes. The angels hand is delicately poised over the keyboard, suggesting the act of playing heavenly music.
To the right, another angel, partially visible, is clad in a pink robe and holds a golden vessel, possibly a censer. Both angels are framed by a radiant, golden background, indicative of divine presence and celestial light. The overall composition evokes a sense of solemnity and worship, with the music enhancing the sacred atmosphere of the scene. The use of gold leaf is characteristic of medieval religious art, signifying divinity, wealth, and the illuminated nature of the heavenly realm. The gentle rendering of the figures and the golden hues contribute to a spiritual and ethereal quality, aiming to transport the viewer to a divine setting.