The San Damiano Crucifix was painted in the twelfth century by an unknown artist. Legend says that Francis first saw the cross in 1205 hanging in the small chapel at San Damiano, and as he knelt before it, a voice came to him saying. "Francis, rebuild my Church." When the Poor Clares left San Damiano for another location, they took the crucifix with them to the Basilica of St. Clare in San Gorgio. A copy hangs in the San Damiano chapel to this day.
Title of Art: San Damiano Crucifix
Subjects: St. Clare
Subject Century: 13th
Ritual Pose/Object: doves, halo, Franciscan habit, cross
Artist: Unknown
Art Form: Painting
Exhibit Institution: Santuario San Damiano (Sanctuary of San Damiano), Monastery of St. Clare, dormitory
Exhibit Location: Assisi, Italy
VM Image #: 0153
Photographer: Kelly Dippolito
Date of Photograph: January 3, 2025
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