The triptych of St. Peter martyr

The Triptych of St.

Peter martyr is an altarpiece, tempera on wood (137x168 cm), datable to 1428-1429 and preserved in the National Museum of San Marco in Florence.

The work is the first documented by Angelico that has survived.

It comes from the convent of San Pietro Martire.

It is a transitional triptych, since although the cusps suggest the presence of three compartments, in reality the painting is deployed on one level, without interruption.

In the center there is a Maestà (Madonna and Child Enthroned) and on the sides the Saints Dominic of Guzman, Giovanni Battista, Pietro Martire and Tommaso d'Aquino.

In the cusps there are quadrilobes with the announcing Angel, the proclaimed Virgin and the blessing Christ.

Finally, some scenes from the life of St.

Peter the Martyr are drawn between the cusps: Preaching and Martyrdom with the representation of the Saint who after being hit on the head writes the word "creed" on the ground with his blood.