Artwork
The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion is a paint painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Master of San Martino alla Palma. It dates from 1330 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1330, this tempera painting portrays the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Executed by the anonymous Master of San Martino alla Palma, a Florentine painter linked to the early‑fourteenth‑century workshop of Bernardo Daddi, the work follows the Italo‑Byzantine visual language that dominated religious art in Tuscany at the time.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is the crucified Christ, rendered with a serene expression despite the wounds indicated by small red stains on his hands and feet. Flanking him are six mourners, both male and female, clad in richly dyed robes and some bearing halos, suggesting their sanctified status. Their gestures convey grief and devotion, reinforcing the theological emphasis on Christ’s sacrifice.
Technique & Style
The composition relies on a flat gold ground, a hallmark of Byzantine influence, which intensifies the saturation of the surrounding garments. Figures are stylized rather than naturalistic, with elongated forms and limited modeling. The use of tempera on panel allows for precise, linear detailing, while the gold background creates a luminous contrast without employing chiaroscuro.
History & Provenance
The painting is named after an altarpiece once housed in the church of San Martino alla Palma, located near Florence. It entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display, providing a representative example of early Trecento religious art in a major European museum.
Context
During the early 1300s, Florentine artists were transitioning from the rigid Byzantine aesthetic toward a more naturalistic approach. The Master of San Martino alla Palma, however, retained the conventional gold background and iconic figure types, reflecting the persistence of devotional conventions even as new stylistic currents emerged.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Master of San Martino alla Palma
The Master of San Martino alla Palma (formerly called the Amico di Daddi) was a Florentine painter active during the first third of the fourteenth century.
