Refectory, Santa Croce, Florence
- Refectory, Santa Croce, Florence
The
refectory of the Monastery of
Santa Croce was
frescoed by
Taddeo Gaddi in c. 1340 with a complex genealogical theme of special interest to the
Franciscans who lived there. The central scene is composed of a Tree of Life with a
Crucifixion as its trunk, an appropriate choice since
Santa Croce translates to
Holy Cross. At the foot of the cross are Sts. Anthony,
Dominic, Louis of Toulouse, and
Francis, all significant to the Franciscans, as well as grieving figures and a kneeling donor. The donor's dress of a tertiary Franciscan (a Franciscan lay order) and the Manfredi coast of arms included in the fresco suggest that she may be Mona Vaggia Manfredi who died in c. 1345 and was buried at Santa Croce. From the Crucifixion emanate a series of scrolls to form the branches that weave around medallions containing the bust portraits of the four
Evangelists and 12
prophets. The Latin text on the scrolls admonishes the monks to meditate on the mystery of Christ's sacrifice. Below this scene is the
Last Supper, also appropriate since the refectory is where the monks took their meals. The crucified Christ above ties in with this scene, which represents the institution of the Eucharist (Christ's body and blood) as a sacrament. This is the earliest example of a refectory fresco presenting a monumental rendition of the Last Supper. Earlier, these scenes were mainly confined to narrations of the life of Christ and his
Passion. Four smaller scenes at either side of the Tree of Life are the
Stigmatization of St.
Francis,
St.
Louis of Toulouse Feeding the Poor and the Sick at Santa Croce,
A Priest at Easter Meal Receiving Word of St.
Benedict's Hunger, and
Christ in the House of Levi. All but the
Stigmatization also appropriately relate to meal-taking.
Historical dictionary of Renaissance art.
Lilian H. Zirpolo.
2008.
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