The artwork, titled “Crucifix,” was created by the artist Cimabue between 1287 and 1288. It is an oil painting on a panel and belongs to the Byzantine art movement. Measuring 390 by 448 cm, this religious painting is currently housed in the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy.
The artwork depicts Christ crucified, a central theme in Christian iconography. Christ’s slightly tilted head, closed eyes, and apparent weight convey the scene’s solemnity and pathos. The cross structure includes additional panels on the horizontal arms, each containing a sorrowful depiction of biblical figures, possibly the Virgin Mary and Saint John. The background features intricate patterns, typical of the Byzantine style, emphasized by dark, somber hues that deepen the piece’s emotional impact. The carefully rendered anatomy of Christ’s figure shows a transition towards greater naturalism, differentiating it from the more stylized forms of earlier Byzantine art. This amalgamation of traditional and emerging styles reflects Cimabue’s pivotal role in art history, bridging the medieval period and the early Renaissance.
