the figures are next an altar holding a reliquary of the true cross, which still exists. this was connected with a miracle in 1370-82 depicted by vittorio carpaccio, gentile bellini and other artists - when accidentally dropped into a canal during a congested procession it did not sink but hovered over the water, evading others trying to help, until an earlier andrea vendramin dived in and retrieved it. this andrea had been presented with the relic in 1369, in his capacity as head of the confraternity or scuola grande di san giovanni evangelista; they still hold the relc and its reliquary. both the large bellini painting, "the miracle of the true cross near san lorenzo bridge", of 1496-1500, and the carpaccio of 1494, are now in the accademia museum in venice.