Exaltation of the Cross (detail) 1466

This detail from Piero della Francesca's fresco cycle "The Legend of the True Cross" depicts a group of figures in a landscape setting. Painted in 1466 for the Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo, Italy, the fresco cycle narrates the story of the True Cross, from the wood's origins to its discovery and exaltation. Della Francesca's masterful use of perspective and geometric composition, characteristic of the Early Renaissance, is evident in the figures' arrangement and the illusionistic depth of the space. The scene's clarity and calm, a hallmark of the artist's style, contribute to a serene and contemplative atmosphere, reflecting the spiritual significance of the story.