Giovanni di Paolo, a Sienese painter and illuminator, created much of his work for the religious communities in his native town. In the 19th century many of his altarpieces were dismembered, their predellas being cut up into individual scenes, such as this Crucifixion, which would have formed the centre of a predella from a large altarpiece. The Crucifixion was one of Giovanni di Paolo’s favourite themes, and this particular painting appears to be one of his early works. The predominant use of gold is traditional for this period, the colour symbolises the deity of Christ and the sacredness of what is depicted.