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Crocifissione (affresco distaccato) Siena
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Artist: Pietro Lorenzetti
Year: 1336-1337
Current location: Basilica e convento di San Francesco
Original location: Basilica e convento di San Francesco
DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION
The Crucifixion is a famous detached fresco by Pietro Lorenzetti, dated 1336-1337, housed in the first chapel of the left transept in the Basilica of San Francesco in Siena.
The work is of fundamental importance to the history of medieval Sienese art:
The fresco originally decorated the Chapter House of the ancient Franciscan convent adjacent to the church and was part of a monumental decorative cycle executed by Pietro and his brother Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
This fresco cycle was almost entirely lost due to a disastrous fire and subsequent renovations. The various recovered fragments have been placed in different locations.
The Crucifixion scene displays a refined dramatic composure:
Christ on the cross dominates the center, flanked on the left by the group of pious women supporting the fainting Virgin and by the grieving Saint John;
On the right are Roman soldiers and members of the Sanhedrin.
Prominent figures such as the centurion and Saint Longinus are characterized by hexagonal halos, symbolizing their status as future converts, but not yet saints at the time of the event.
The original fresco is also missing a large decorative band that once stood at its base.
Another important fragment from the same cycle, depicting the Risen Christ, remained in Siena and is now on display at the nearby Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
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