Emperor Heraclius Beheads Chosroës and Enters Jerusalem with the True Cross

1385 · Chancel Chapel, Santa Croce, Florence

religious

In the fourth image field from the top of the north wall, in the last image of the fresco cycle, three scenes are joined. It begins at the lower left with the beheading of Chosros by Heraclius, who is then seen heading in triumph to Jerusalem with the Cross. Upon his arrival, however, the city gate closes itself up before him, and an angel indicates that the Emperor must enter the city not on horseback but rather - in remembrance of Christ - in a humble manner, whereupon Heraclius carries the Cross into the city on foot wearing only his shirt.

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Emperor Heraclius Beheads Chosroës and Enters Jerusalem with the True Cross

About the Artist

Agnolo Gaddi

1350 – 1396

Florentine painter, the son of Taddeo Gaddi. He continued the Giotto tradition but modified it still further in the direction of decorative elegance. He is particularly notable for his cool pale colours, which infiuenced the refined late Gothic art of artists of the next generation such as Lorenzo Monaco. Agnolo's works include frescos on The Story of the Cross in the chancel of Sta Croce (after 1374) and on The Story of the Virgin and her Girdle in the Chapel of the Holy Girdle in Prato Cathedral (1392-5). Many panel paintings also are attributed to Agnolo.

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