Domenico di Michelino

Who was Domenico di Michelino?

Domenico di Michelino was an Italian painter of the Florentine school and a follower of the style of Fra Angelico. He was born and died in Florence.

Michelino predominantly painted scenes from the Bible. His most famous work can be found on the west wall of Florence's "Duomo" Santa Maria del Fiore, including La commedia illumina Firenze, showing Dante Alighieri and the Divina Commedia. Along with Dante and the city of Florence, the work depicts Hell, Mount Purgatory, the earthly Paradise and the celestial spheres.

He took his name from his teacher, a carver in bone and ivory named Michelino. He was elected to the Compagnia di San Luca in 1442 and joined the Arte dei Medici e degli Speziali in 1444.