Constantine's Dream

c. 1455 - Fresco, 329 x 190 cm - San Francesco, Arezzo

This scene takes place in the middle of the night, while the Emperor is sleeping in his tent. A servant, sitting on a board illuminated by a fluid light, stares at the observer in a silent conversation. The innovation of painting the two sentinels in the shade, outlined only by the light coming from the angel above them, semms to anticipate Caravaggio's use of light.