Painted Crucifix
1495
tempera
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1495
tempera
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a plain wooden cross against a gold background. Jesus hangs from it, his body painted in soft tones. The colors look old but bright, like fresh paint. The artist, Antonio de Saliba, was from Sicily. He learned from his uncle, a famous painter. This work mixes his uncle’s style with softer colors from up north. See how the gold shines behind the cross? That trick is called *tempera*.
