On June 18, 2024, Marco Zini‘s study on the “Titulus Crucis” of Michelangelo’s wooden crucifix (Edizioni La Vela, 2024) was presented as part of the 2024 Basilica di Santo Spirito Conferences. As its title suggests, the presentation was held in the beautiful Santo Spirito church, which was once an Augustinian Convent before growing into an important Basilica. Speeches were held by Santo Spirito’s Prior, Father Giuseppe Pagano, and esteemed lawyer Lorenzo Calvani, in the presence of the Augustinian community of Florence.
The book was translated from English into Italian by Bryn Mawr students Sofia Cirone and Lillian Belzer who both took part in the Fall 2023 program at ISI Florence. Lillian and Sofia translated this book under the supervision of ISI Florence colleagues Katie Mathis (Associate Director for Student Life) and Stefano Baldassarri (Director). For this reason, Prof. Baldassarri was invited to give a brief speech at the book launch last night.
About the study
The wooden crucifix – sculpted by Michelangelo in 1493 while he was a guest at the Augustinian Convent of Santo Spirito – is a remarkable work in many aspects. For instance, anatomical perfection was derived from the young artist’s studies on cadavers in the convent’s morgue, authorized by Prior Nicolao Bichiellini. His innovative representation of Christ on the cross, and the addition of a plaque with a very particular inscription, were never seen before in artistic depictions of the Crucifixion. Marco Zini‘s study focuses on providing an explanation for the plaque inscription and aims at attributing the authorship of the Titulus Crucis on the Santo Spirito crucifix to Michelangelo Buonarroti.
The Titulus Crucis on Michelangelo’s Crucifix
The volume includes a rich gallery of images that help the reader understand this highly specialized topic and is presented in an accessible and informative manner.
