The discovery of the True Cross 1770 - 1790

Francesco La Marra created this drawing, “The Discovery of the True Cross,” sometime in the 18th century. The story goes that Helena, Emperor Constantine’s mother, found the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus in Jerusalem. Observe how La Marra presents the scene as a spectacle of labor and reverence. Common laborers struggle to lift the heavy cross while soldiers stand guard and a royal kneels in supplication. Hovering cherubs reinforce the divine significance of the artifact. La Marra lived during a time of rigid social hierarchies, and “The Discovery of the True Cross” mirrors this structure, illustrating how religious relics bolster the power of both church and state. The drawing prompts us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about power, faith, and who is asked to bear the weight of history.