Crucifixion

Part of a dismantled polyptych, this was the central panel of the predella (base), along with the 'Adoration of the Magi' and the 'Descent into Limbo (now respectively in the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Ferrara and the Museo Civico di Padova). It has been suggested that the polyptych was originally in the private chapel of the illustrious Gattamelata in the basilica del Santo in Padua, signed in 1460 by Jacopo Bellini and both his sons. But a Venetian provenance seems more likely, possibly from the important Benedictine convent of san Zaccaria, with a date of around 1450.
The traditionally arranged scene shows the crucifix in the centre with Mary to its right, fainting between the pious women, a kneeling alongside, who recognises the Saviour, and a rank of soldiers in the background; on the opposite side Saint John the Evangelist is overcome by grief.
The low horizon isolates the crucified Christ against the sky, above the actions and emotions of the onlookers.