Cross with the Crucified Christ

This painted crucifix by Ugolino di Tedice represents the Pisan school's contribution to one of the most important genres of Italian Gothic painting. Ugolino, active in Pisa around 1260-1280, was part of a family workshop tradition that included his more famous relative Coppo di Marcovaldo's circle. The Christus patiens type shown here — with Christ's body curved in suffering — reflects the newer devotional sensibility promoted by the Franciscan order, replacing the earlier triumphant Christus triumphans model.

Executed in egg tempera and gold on a shaped wooden cross panel, the work features the characteristic Pisan treatment of Christ's anatomy with elongated proportions and linear modeling. Terminal panels likely depicted the mourning Virgin and Saint John, following the standard format for monumental painted crucifixes.