Explore the History of this artwork.
Michelangelo Buonarroti was a guest of the convent of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito (Florence) when he was seventeen years old, after the death of his protector Lorenzo de' Medici. Here he could make anatomical studies of the corpses coming from the convent's hospital; in exchange, he is said to have sculpted the wooden crucifix which was placed over the high altar. Today the crucifix is in the octagonal sacristy of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito.
Florence Basilica of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito  Santo Spirito Michelangelo high altar Lorenzo de' Medici Michelangelo Buonarroti crucifix