Crucifix

Abstract

This painted wood crucifix in Siena Cathedral has been set in a much later narrative with sculpted mourners and angels. An old legend recounts that it was taken to the battle of Montaperti (1260) by the Sienese, but on the basis of style, Enzo Carli dates it later (c. 1330-40) and even suggests that the head may have been recarved in the early 1400s. Crucifixes and other images were deployed at times of crisis -- taken on procession or even into battle, and many were thought to have offered protection and led to victory. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.