Left Transept

Here is preserved, though not in excellent condition, a fresco discovered in 1937 under seven layers of plasteras reported by the then rector. It depicts in a single painting the scenes of the Passion of Christ, with related passion symbols, and is attributed to the 14th-century Sienese school with an expressiveness and motion familiar to the work of Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. With the exception of the main scenes, all the agent characters are presented only as heads and hands peeking out from the background. Given the concise approach of the scenes reduced to heads and hands, it can be considered a kind of summation of the passion episodes, where the scenes of Judas' betrayal, Peter denying Jesus, Pilate washinf his hands, and the scourging, among others, are well recognized. The central part of the fresco, although in less than excellent condition depicts, under the tau cross Christ laid in the tomb with the Virgin and St. John on either side. Also scattered in the scene are the instruments of passion such as the ladder, spear with vinegar-soaked sponge, Veronica's cloth, nails, and crown of thorns.