The artwork, titled “Crucifixion with the Virgin, John the Evangelist, and Mary Magdalene,” was created by Fra Angelico between 1419 and 1420. This religious painting, rendered in tempera on panel, is an exemplar of the Early Renaissance art movement and measures 64 by 38 centimeters. Currently housed in a private collection, the artwork poignantly depicts the crucifixion scene central to Christian iconography.
This somber piece features Christ crucified in the center, with a delicate golden halo encircling his bowed head. Below Him, the Virgin Mary stands to the left, dressed in a striking blue cloak, her face marked by sorrow and reverence. To her lower right, Mary Magdalene is depicted in a rich, flowing red garment, her long, golden hair cascading down as she clasps the base of the cross in grief. John the Evangelist is positioned to the right, robed in a pink cloak, his hands folded in prayer and his gaze fixed upon Christ. The background is luxuriously adorned with gold leaf, enhancing the scene’s divine and holy essence, while two ethereal angels hover in adoration beside the crucified Christ, emphasizing the heavenly nature of this momentous event. Above Christ, a pelican is featured, symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice, further enriching the painting’s symbolic depth.
