“Crucifixion” by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano

“Crucifixion” by Giovanni Donato da Montorfano depicts the Crucifixion of Jesus. At the foot of the cross is Mary Magdalene, who is hugging the cross.

Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominicans is on the left of Mary and Saint Thomas Aquinas on the right, both kneeling with their hands together in prayer.

Also depicted are other saints and leaders from the Dominican order with Jerusalem in the background.

Giovanni Donato da Montorfano was an Italian painter of the Renaissance who was born, lived, and worked in Milan.

This fresco painting in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan is on the wall facing Da Vinci’s masterpiece of The Last Supper.

The room was used for communal meals of the Convent, and both paintings were commissioned as part of a plan of renovations to the church and its convent buildings by Leonardo’s patron Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.

At the sides of the scene, now barely discernable are painted the figures of the Duke of Milan and his consort, it is believed that they were painted by Leonardo Da Vinci at a later date.