Uccello, Paolo (1397-1475)
La crocifissione (The Crucifixion)
probably mid-1450s
Tempera on wood, gold ground, 45.7 x 27.9 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Uccello is best known for his battle scenes for the Medici palace and for frescoes in the cloister of Santa Maria Novella, Florence; however, he also painted small devotional panels. This portable triptych includes the depiction of a nun of the Brigitine order at the foot of the cross, identified by an inscription as Sister Felicity (possibly Felicità di Francesco Casavecchia, who joined the order in January 1455, which is about the date of the painting). The triptych was painted for her private devotions in her cell at the Brigitine convent of Santa Maria del Paradiso near Florence. (MET)