Here is a continuation of the previous post. This post deals with events leading to the crucifixion and the events surrounding the crucifixion.

Last Supper

In the Piacenza Cathedral, I saw this depiction of the Last Supper. While reminiscent of Da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan, the disicles and Jesus are certainly more contemporary individuals.

I’m struck by how Jesus is giving wafers to his disciples, not bread from a loaf.

Modern Last Supper in Piacenza.

Arrest, Trial, Carrying the Cross

In Rome’s Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Michelangelo’s sculpture of the Risen Christ carrying his cross. Wikipedia states that a contemporary “Sebastiano del Piombo declared that the knees alone were worthy of more than the whole Rome.” I don’t think an art critic today would make such a declaration!

Crucifixion

The Crucifixion fresco amongst the wonderful frescos in San Gimignano.

From an illustrated manuscript, Siena Cathedral library.

St. Francis embracing Crucified Christ.

Deposition of Jesus

I orginally thought that the Orvieto Cathedral has the following extremely unusual depiction. On the one hand, Joseph is at the crucifixion; on the other hand, Joseph is holding a hammer. However, even the creativity of artists has to follow some guides. The figure is Nicodemus, not Joseph.

Hooded and anonymous figures carrying Jesus’ body. A sculpture next to the Pavia Cathedral.

A very unusual depiction of Jesus on the Cross.