In considering the pictures of sacred subjects produced in the
early ages of faith and simplicity, we must not forget that
the chief intention of the artist was to stimulate the piety
of the spectator, and not to make a “pretty” picture. Thus
it is recorded of the saintly Florentine monk, Fra Angelico
(1387–1455), that before he began the painting of a religious
subject he fasted and prayed, and that while he was at work
on his picture he always remained kneeling.--FREDERICK
KEPPEL, “Christmas in Art.”
(2373)