Crucifix 1283

Cimabue's monumental fresco, "Crucifix," painted in 1283, is a masterpiece of early Italian art. Located in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the fresco depicts Christ on the cross, surrounded by angels and mourners. This work exemplifies the transition from Byzantine art to the burgeoning Italian Renaissance. Cimabue's use of light and shadow, as well as the expressiveness of the figures, foreshadow the innovations of artists like Giotto, who would further revolutionize painting in the 14th century. The golden background and stylized forms are characteristic of the Byzantine influence, while the more naturalistic depiction of the human figures points toward the emerging realism of the Renaissance.