Miracle of the Crucifix

Giotto di Bondone completed this fresco between 1297 and 1299 as part of the Legend of Saint Francis cycle in the Upper Church of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi. The scene depicts a key moment in Francis's life: while praying alone before a crucifix in the ruined chapel of San Damiano, he heard a voice saying, "Francis, go and repair my church, which as you see is falling into ruins."

Taking the command literally at first, Francis devoted himself to rebuilding the physical chapel. Only later did he understand the call meant restoring the entire Church. The crucifix before which he prayed, now known as the San Damiano Cross, was painted by an unknown artist in the 12th century and still survives in Assisi.

The fresco measures 270 by 230 centimeters and is the fourth in the cycle of 28 scenes depicting Francis's life. Giotto's radical approach to space and human emotion in these frescoes marked a turning point from Byzantine conventions toward the naturalism that would flourish in the Renaissance. The cycle remains at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi.