The Crucifixion
Artist
Italian
Artist/Culture
Spoleto
Dateabout 1300
Mediumfresco transferred to fabric
Dimensions294.3 x 203.5 cm (115 7/8 x 80 1/8 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number1924.25
DescriptionChrist on cross with palm-tree rough bark, flanked by angels, one of whom bears a chalice. On the ground are the Virgin Mary (fainting), as well as the Three Marys (Mary Magdalen recognizable at right). Next to her is John. To the left is a group of onlookers, of whom the front two wear coifs and gowns buttoned at the chest and sleeves; their right hands are in the gesture of warding off evil, and their faces appear to have been deliberately removed.There are traces of lettering above the figures: T [Cross] D ... E or A (?) M T. The nimbuses and chalice bear a thick layer of plaster imprinted with decorative patterns.
Label TextAmong the treasures of Worcester Art Museum’s collection are its frescoes from the convent of Santa Maria inter Angelos overlooking Spoleto, Italy. The convent was a community of nuns, and the frescoes were originally in the upper floor of the convent chapel. The female nuns sat in this area while male priests performed the ritual of the Mass below. The images provided the women a visual focus for the ceremony that they could hear but not see. This is one of two Crucifixion scenes among the Spoleto frescoes. The faint letters to either side of Jesus’s feet represent his words to his mother Mary and his closest disciple, John, telling them to care for each other after his death. The initials MEFT and DDEMT stand for the Latin Mulier, ecce filius tuus. Deinde dicit discipulo, Ecce mater tua—“Woman, here is your son. Then he says to the disciple, Here is your mother.” Mary, wearing a blue robe, faints with grief, while John stands across from her in a red robe, bowing his head in sorrow.ProvenanceJohn Levy Gallery, New York NY
On View
On view
