Angelico also chooses to emphasize the brutality of the Crucifixion by portraying a lot of blood in this scene. I observed that the blood running down the cross from his feet runs all the way to the skull lying on the ground. The skull reminds the viewer of both the ominous death of Christ and the location where he died, Golgatha. The friends of Christ are identified by the golden halo’s around their heads, and the other darker figures surrounding are primarily Roman guards (identified by their red hats, clothing, flag, etc.)
I particularly like that Angelico included angels flying around Christ who seem to be ministering to Him, or at least they are entirely focused on the Son of God. It reminds me that the event of Christ’s death was both dramatic on Earth as well as in the heavens.
Interesting side note for this image:
Of all known works by Fra Angelico, this panel is the only one that bears an inscription that may be interpreted as a signature. Running across the bridle of the horse at the far right are the gilded letters Fr[a]t[er] Ihone[s], or Fra Giovanni. If this inscription refers to the artist rather than to his (unknown) patron, it would imply that the painting was completed only after Fra Angelico had professed his vows as a Dominican, some time between 1419 and 1422.
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