Brunelleschi Crucifix Self-researched

A polychrome painted wooden sculpture located in the Gondi Chapel at the church of Santa Maria Novella. This idealized depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus measures around 170 cm × 170 cm.

This is the only surviving wooden sculpture by Brunelleschi; the only other known example, a wooden sculpture of Mary Magdalene at the church of Santo Spirito, was destroyed in a fire in 1471.

Art historian Luciano Bellosi described Brunelleschi's crucifix as "probably the first Renaissance work in the history of art," representing a definitive turn away from the stylised postures of Gothic sculpture and a return to the naturalism of classical sculpture. According to Vasari, Brunelleschi carved this crucifix in response to Donatello's crucifix at Santa Croce, which Brunelleschi criticized as depicting "a peasant on the Cross."