Santa Croce ecclesia laicorum : 1383-1400

The study examines the remains of the decoration of the western bays of the church of Santa Croce, whose construction was completed in 1383. The fresco by Francesco di Michele with the Madonna and Child with Saints, dated 1387 and originally in the second southern bay, can be linked to a posthumous commission by Bernardo di Ser Ridolfo Pretasini, who also indirectly financed the works for the church roof. On the left wall there was once a great painted cycle of the Life of Christ to be attributed to Niccolò di Pietro Gerini and Giovanni di Tano Fei; its remains are still in place between the first and the second bay. The paintings were directed at the congregation of laymen, and were therefore characterized by the simplicity of the story and the clarity of the message. They were also designed to be read from right to left due to the presence of the door of the Pinzochere at one time situated in the third bay.