Crucifixion and the Mass at Bolsena

Abstract

This glazed terracotta altarpiece with the Crucifixion and the miracle of the Mass at Bolsena (the consecrated host bled to the amazement of a doubting priest) is located in the sanctuary of Santa Cristina in Bolsena, on the spot on which the miracle happened. Cardinal Giovanni di Medici (later Pope Leo X) commissioned the work from Benedetto Buglione as a part of a major campaign to redecorate the church and tomb of the martyr, largely carried out by Buglione, who was involved in the architectural design of the facade and many sculptures on the interior and exterior of the church. On the missal on the altar is written the date of completion of the work: 1496. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.