Restored in 1998 with funding from The James R. Dougherty, Jr. Foundation, through Beatrice Rossi-Landi, Trustee.

In 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Turks, many members of the eastern Christian community fled to the Venetian colony of Crete and eventually made their way to Venice, bringing with them many examples of Byzantine artistic traditions. Veneto-Cretan artists continued to produce numerous works in this style despite the dominance of the modern Renaissance style in Venice and mainland Italy.

In the mid-sixteenth century, a member of this community produced a depiction of the Crucifixion, its many detailed figures and bright colors set against a traditional gold background. Inscribed in the upper right of the image is “TOV XV” (plate 15), indicating that it may once have been the fifteenth panel in a series of paintings representing the Stations of the Cross.

The painting was restored by conservator Paola Borghese, with the guidance of project director Sandro Sponza of the Superintendency of Fine Arts of Venice.

For select projects, conservation dossiers in Italian containing limited textual and photographic documentation may be available for consultation by appointment at the Venice office of Save Venice and the Rosand Library & Study Center. For inquiries, please contact us at venice@savevenice.org.

Unidentified Veneto-Cretan artist
Crucifixion
Mid-sixteenth century, tempera on wood panel
62 x 47 cm

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