# Crucifixion \(scene 20\) [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [DUCCIO di Buoninsegna]() - Date: 1301-1350 - Technique: Tempera on wood, 100 x 76 cm ## Commentary The picture shows one of the 26 narrative scenes from the Stories of the Passion on the reverse side of the Maestà. It is situated in the centre of the upper row. The emotional intensity of the Stories of the Passion, from Christ Taken Prisoner to the Way to Calvary, reaches its most dramatic moment in the Crucifixion which, placed in the middle of the upper row, dominates the whole of the back section. The slender cross stands out against the gold ground, dividing the crowd into two separate groups. On the left are Christ's followers, subdued and orderly, their faces drawn with grief, amongst whom are Mary of Clopas, Mary Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene \(dressed in red with her long hair unbound\) and John the Evangelist. On the right, the priests and soldiers are shown mocking and insulting, with rough movements. The fine modelling of the figure of Christ is reminiscent of the plasticism of Gothic ivories, while the strong contrast of movement which opposes the characters has evident connections with the <a onclick="return OpenOther\('/html/p/pisano/nicola/2siena/2panel5.html'\)" href="/html/p/pisano/nicola/2siena/2panel5.html">Crucifixion on the Cathedral pulpit,</a> carved by Nicola Pisano from 1266-68. The surroundings are bare and scanty, the jagged rocks clearly alluding to Golgotha. <p> <table align=left cellpadding=5 border=1 width=320 bgcolor="\#99cccc"> <tr valign=middle><td><img src="/support/gif/listen.gif" border=0 valign=middle> Suggested listening \(streaming mp3, 2 minutes\):<br><a href="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/music1/14\_cent/gregorian\_sequence.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=350,height=350'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return true"><b>Gregorian sequence</b></a> </td></tr></table> ## Related artworks - [Adoration of the Magi \(detail\)]() - [Adoration of the Magi \(scene 3\)]() - [Agony in the Garden \(detail\)]() - [Agony in the Garden \(detail\)]() - [Agony in the Garden \(scene 6\)]() - [Announcement of Death to the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Announcement of Death to the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Announcement of Death to the Virgin \(panel 1\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(scene 1\)]() - [Appearance Behind Locked Doors \(detail\)]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()