3-072-122 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Crucifixion, between 1321-1323. The crucified Christ, above whose head there is a red plate nailed to the cross with the letters: INRI. On the sides of the cross, at the top, two Angels, one of whom collects into a vessel the blood flowing from the wound in Christ's side, inflicted by a spear by the Roman soldier Longinus (visible on the left side of the painting, on a horse). On the right, a group of Roman soldiers with a centurion at the head and a red banner with the letters: SPQR and Jewish priests. On the left, the sorrowful women who followed Christ carrying the cross. In the foreground, St John the Evangelist and Mary the Mother of Christ. Next to them, in a red dress, with her fair hair loose Mary Magdalene, a converted sinner, who stretches out her hands towards the cross with a dramatic gesture, she is blocked by a Roman soldier with a shield (a motif common in Sienese painting, derived from Byzantine art). The fragile and slender figure of Christ on the cross, characteristic of this artist, is contrasted with strong, more squat figures of people around the cross.