Crucifixion Triptych

Artist Master of Monte Oliveto Italian, active 1305 - 1330

Dateca. 1325

Place of OriginSiena, Tuscany, Italy

MediumTempera, gesso, gold leaf on panel

DimensionsOverall: 20 5/16 x 19 5/16 in. (51.6 x 49.1 cm)
Frame Dimensions: 20 1/2 x 18 3/4 in. (52.1 x 47.6 cm)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineBequest of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde

Object number1971.5

On View

Not on view

Collections

European Paintings & Sculpture

MarkingsA NOVELLo ! DA IMBONATE seconda meta ! del trecento aft in ! parma ! SAMMLUNG HUBERT FELOK

DescriptionThis small triptych, used for private devotions, was likely commissioned for the kneeling Dominican nun appearing at the lower left, perhaps by a member of her family. The format is common for this time period: three gabled panels, with the two side wings half the width of the central panel, allowing for them to be hinged and closed over the main scene. The central panel is very simple, with an isolated scene of the Crucifixion, while the wings each divide into three registers with holy figures. The backs of all three panels are bare.

On the left wing, from top to bottom, appear the angel Gabriel kneeling at the Annunciation; Sts. Paul and Dominic; the unidentified kneeling Dominican nun; and perhaps St. Romuald, founder of the eremitic Camaldolese Order, a reform order of Benedictines, who is often shown holding a book, or St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order. Either seems an unusual choice for a Dominican nun, and the identification remains uncertain.

On the right wing, from the top, appear the Virgin Annunciate; Sts. John the Baptist and possibly Nicholas; and the Dominican St. Thomas Aquinas, holding an open book, in reference to his writings. The book’s text appears to be illegible, and so remains unidentifiable.

The Virgin Mary, in a blue robe covering her red gown, and John the Evangelist, in his traditional red draperies, attend Christ at the Crucifixion. Both exhibit mournful poses while Mary Magdalene, also in red and with long, uncovered hair, clings desperately to the bottom of the Cross. Two mourning angels flank Christ’s bleeding body, while above the crossbeam appear the sun and moon together in the sky. This motif originates in the three synoptic gospels' (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) report of darkness coming over the land when Christ died, sometimes interpreted as an eclipse. Indeed, Christ’s head has slumped to one side, his body hangs from the nails with a sense of weight, and his side wound spurts blood. In this Christus patiens (suffering Christ) type Crucifixion, Christ is either dead or close to death. The sign inscribed INRI above the Cross refers to the Latin phrase "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" ("Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"), written by and ordered to be placed on the cross by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, as a mocking gesture. All figures are set against a gold leaf background.

The identity of the artist is disputed. Creighton Gilbert, in 1977 letter to The Hyde, attributes the triptych to the Master of Città di Castello, a follower of Duccio. James Kettlewell in his 1981 Hyde Collection Catalogue maintains Gilbert’s attribution but remains hesitant regarding its accuracy. A letter from Everett Fahy in 1983 to The Hyde attributes the work to the Master of Monte Oliveto, however a letter from 1992 from Laurence Kanter disputes that attribution; he suggests the work may not even be Sienese. The identity of the artist remains uncertain.

Above text by Penny Howell Jolly, Professor Emerita of Art History, Skidmore College, February 2026

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Small scale indicative of use for personal devotions. On the left wing, from top: Angel Gabriel (Aunnunciation), St. Paul and St. Dominic, St. Romuald (probably), and kneeling nun. On right wing, from top: Virgin Annunciate, St. John the Baptist, and St. Nicholas (probably). Center: Crucifixion with Mary Magdalene and John the Evangelist, the Virgin Mary, two angels, sun and moon.

Text from 2010Exhibition History"Medieval Art in Upstate New York", Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY, 1974.

"Objects of Devotion", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, Nov. 30, 2003- Feb. 29, 2004.

"From the Vault: Staff Selections", The Hyde Collection, Whitney-Renz Gallery, January 11, 2019-March 31, 2019

"Growing Up in a Renaissance Palazzo: Childhood in Italy 1400-1600," Charles R. Wood Gallery, The Hyde Collection, Oct. 5, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025.ProvenanceCollection of Huber
Darmstadt, Germany, Darmstadt Museum
by 1926, Paris, France, M. Daguerre (dealer)
1926, Glens Falls, NY, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Hyde
1963, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust (Bequest of Mrs. Charlotte P. Hyde)