Fra Angelico ( c. 1385 - February 18 , 1455 ) , was an Italian Early Renaissance painter . Giorgio Vasari , who wrote the Lives of the Artists said he had `` a rare and perfect talent '' . Fra Angelico ( c. 1395 â `` February 18 , 1455 ) , born Guido di Pietro , was an Early Italian Renaissance painter described by Vasari in his Lives of the Artists as having `` a rare and perfect talent '' .