Art and theology in dialogue

: Fra Angelico and St. Thomas Aquinas on the mystery of the last judgment

Abstract

This thesis explores the Christian doctrine of the Last Judgment through a comparative study of St. Thomas Aquinas’s theological writings and Fra Angelico’s artistic representation in his Last Judgment panel at the Museo di San Marco, Florence. The research aims to highlight the complementarity of theology and art in the transmission of eschatological truths. It comprises three chapters; the first chapter provides an iconographic and theological analysis of Fra Angelico’s painting. Through its rich symbolism, heaven in radiant harmony, the open tombs signifying resurrection, the communion of saints, and the torments of hell, the work functions as a visual catechesis, communicating complex theological ideas in a universal and accessible language. The second chapter examines St. Thomas Aquinas’s systematic theology of the Last Judgment as presented in the Summa Theologica (Suppl., qq. 88–99). Aquinas develops a coherent vision of Christ as Judge, the resurrection of the body, the beatific vision, and the eternal separation of the damned, grounding these doctrines in Scripture, tradition, and rational argument. The third chapter presents a comparative synthesis, showing how Aquinas provides doctrinal precision while Fra Angelico conveys the same truths through beauty and imagination. The study concludes that art and theology are not rivals but complementary paths: theology secures truth, while art universalizes its meaning, making it accessible to all. This interplay highlights the pedagogical and catechetical power of sacred art within the life of the Church.

Date of Award	15 Dec 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	João Norton de Matos (Supervisor)