The Crucifixion

This eye catching painting from Fra Angelico was completed around 1420-1423 and was inspired by the bronze door series sculptured by Lorenzo Ghiberti in Florence.

This brutal depiction of the Crucifixion displays the Virgin lying motionless on the floor, gripped by untold grief at the demise of Christ. Whilst she is comforted by several Maries, several Roman soldiers look on behind. Fra Angelico uses a grounding of gold to set about a bright artwork which is amongst one of his finest early paintings from such a prestigious career.

Several of the soldiers are on horseback, styled in the flat perspective used by many artists during this period. The Roman's outfits are detailed, bright and impressive though their expressions are fairly neutral. Several angels fly around the body of Christ in the sky, with the rest of the background of this painting being particularly plain.

This small painting is now under the ownership of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Some of their related highlights alongside this piece include Adoration of the Magi by Giotto, Madonna and Child by Duccio di Buoninsegna, the Virgin and Child sculpture by Andrea della Robbia plus other pieces by Filippino Lippi, Albrecht Durer, Bronzino and Gerard David.