Cell 9: Coronation of the Virgin — from left: Saints Thomas, Benedict, Dominic, Francis, Peter Martyr and Paul.
The convent of San Marco has 44 monk’s cells or bedrooms. Almost all are decorated with frescoes by Fra Angelico.
The first 11 cells were for the more senior friars — as the frescoes were not intended as decorations but to encourage contemplation, these were more complicated and more challenging than those suitable for younger friars and novices, who slept larger cells with simpler crucifixion frescoes with St Dominic at prayer.