Wikimedia Commons • Public Domain
St Thomas Before the Cross
by Sassetta
StyleRenaissance
Artwork Details
Cite or Embed This Work
APA · MLA · Chicago1-click academic citation and embeddable “On View” museum badge for articles, syllabi, and research.
Sassetta depicted St. Thomas Aquinas in prayer before a crucifix in this delicate panel. The Dominican theologian kneels in humble devotion, his dark robes contrasting with the gold leaf background typical of Sienese painting. According to legend, Christ spoke to Thomas from the cross, praising his writings.
Sassetta was the leading Sienese painter of the early 15th century, maintaining the city's distinctive Gothic elegance while absorbing some International Gothic influences. His work bridges medieval devotion and Renaissance naturalism. This panel, part of an altarpiece, hangs at the Pinacoteca Vaticana in Vatican City.
More by Sassetta
View all →S
Saint Nicholas of Bari
Sassetta
Louvre, Paris, Paris
T
The Meeting of St. Anthony and St. Paul
Sassetta
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
B
Burning of a Heretic
Sassetta
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
S
St Thomas Inspired by the Dove of the Holy Ghost
Sassetta
Budapest Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Budapest
Also at Pinacoteca Vaticana
View all →
Related Works
Works that share an artist, movement, museum, genre, palette or theme with St Thomas Before the Cross.
- Same artist
- Same movement
The Journey of the Magi
Sassetta, 1435
- Same artist
- Same movement
Miracle of the Eucharist
Sassetta
- Same movement
St. Augustine
Piero della Francesca
- Same movement
Stefaneschi Triptych
Giotto di Bondone, 1320
- Same movement
Glorification of Saint Dominic
Fra Angelico
- Same movement
Crucifixion with the Virgin, John the Evangelist, and Mary Magdelene
Fra Angelico
- Same movement
St. Paul
Michelangelo
- Same movement
Sistine Madonna
Raphael, 1512
- Same movement
The School of Athens
Raphael, 1511
- Same movement
Maestà
Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1311
- Same movement
Crucifixion
Masaccio, 1426
- Same movement
Lamentation of Christ
Andrea Mantegna, 1480
About St Thomas Before the Cross
St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican theologian whose writings shaped Catholic doctrine. Legend says Christ spoke to him from a crucifix, praising his work: "You have written well of me."
This panel hangs at the Pinacoteca Vaticana in Vatican City alongside other important Italian Renaissance works.
Sassetta maintained Siena's Gothic elegance with gold backgrounds and graceful figures while absorbing some naturalistic Renaissance innovations from Florence.
Own Art Like This
Luxury wall art with the same mood and energy. Gallery-quality canvas, no museum crowds.
Browse Collection