Crucifix with Scenes of the Passion
Large painted crucifixes dating from the 1100s and 1200s are among the earliest surviving Italian panel paintings. Large crosses, like this beautiful example, were typically suspended high above an altar in the main apse of Italian churches. Smaller crosses were placed on or just above altars in small side chapels. Such crosses served as the visual focus for devotion and symbolized the Eucharistic sacrament performed by the priest on the altar below. This crucifix shows Christ alive on the cross as the triumphant savior of mankind. Smaller images on the "apron" represent images of Christ's ...
Details
- Palette
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Select a color to find related artworks.
- Medium
- tempera with gold on panel
- Dimensions
- framed: height 1.866 m, width 1.607 m, depth 0.127 m; unframed: height 1.85 m, width 1.6 m, depth 0.102 m
- Origin
- Italy, Pisa
- Department
- Medieval Art
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Image provider
- cleveland-museum-of-art
- License
- CC0-1.0
- Credit
- Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Art Genome Taxonomy
12 tags
Subject Matter
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Bible Story Metadata · 99%
The title and catalog description identify the Crucifixion and episodes from Christ’s Passion, death, and Resurrection.
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Deities and Holy Figures Both · 98%
Christ occupies the central image, accompanied by the Virgin, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint James Major, and Saint Bona.
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Narrative Both · 98%
Multiple subsidiary compartments present sequential religious episodes around the central Crucifixion image.
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Saints Metadata · 97%
The catalog identifies Saint John the Evangelist, Saint James Major, and Saint Bona in the terminal scenes.
Styles and Movements
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Medieval Art Metadata · 99%
The museum classification includes Medieval Art, and the work is dated to approximately 1230–40.
Visual Qualities
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Highly Ornamented Visual · 96%
Gold grounds, elaborate patterned borders, halos, and densely decorated narrative compartments make ornament a dominant visual feature.
Medium and Techniques
Time Periods
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1000 - 1400 CE Art Metadata · 99%
The date c. 1230–40 falls within the 1000–1400 CE period.
Geographic Regions
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Italian Art Metadata · 99%
The stated place of origin is Pisa, Italy.
Materials
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Gold Metadata · 99%
The museum explicitly identifies gold as part of the medium.
Cultural and Religious Styles
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Christian Art and Architecture Both · 99%
The cruciform format, Crucifixion subject, Christ figure, and accompanying holy figures establish the work as Christian art.
Source & rights
Unknown artist. Crucifix with Scenes of the Passion. Cleveland Museum of Art.