The Legend of the True Cross
Quick Summary
Piero della Francesca's fresco cycle, The Legend of the True Cross, is a significant work from the Italian Renaissance. This fresco cycle, created between 1452 and 1466, is located in the church of San Francesco in Arezzo, Italy. The narrative depicts the story of the True Cross, a Christian relic believed to be the wood from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.123
The legend states that the True Cross was discovered by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, around 326 CE. Piero della Francesca's frescoes illustrate key moments from this legend, including the death of Adam at the foot of the tree that would later provide the wood for the crucifix. The work is renowned for its serene composition, clear structure, and masterful use of perspective, characteristic of Piero della Francesca's distinct style.3214
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
