Guarding the Fra Angelicos

People come from all over the world to see the frescos in the monks' cells at the Cloister of San Marco in Florence. While the frescos are serene and subtle, the connecting light-filled gallery of paintings is full of gloriously bright colors and golden halos. I stood in front of this retable and marveled at the individual faces of the mourners and the clear vermilions and blues, all painted almost 600 years ago. The guard watched everyone's comings and goings. Does he ever get tired of these magnificent paintings? Surely over the months and years he has scrutinized them, absorbed something of their essence. I hope he still can see and feel their magic.