This small altarpiece, the work of at least two artists, principally Jacopo di Cione, was painted in tempera on poplar in 1368-70, possibly for a sacristy or private oratory, or, on account of the inclusion of Bernard, perhaps for a Cistercian house. The central scene of the Crucifixion (measuring 108x84) with the Virgin supported by Magdalen and three other Maries in the foreground with St John near. Left and right are compartments with saints: on the left John the Baptist and Paul, on the right St James Greater and Bartholomew. The Predella contains five roundels, each 15 cm diameter, featuring the Virgin and Child in the centre, flanked by a female saint with a red cross and book (St Bridget of Sweden?) and Bernard on the left, and a monk saint, probably Anthony Abbot, and St Catherine of Alexandria on the right. Bernard is nimbed, with a 'tuft', in a white cowl and carrying an open book in both hands with the text turned outwards and showing an inscription from his 'Liber de Passione Christi et doloribus et planctibus matris ejus' (Book of the Passion of Christ and the Sorrows and Lamentations of his Mother): 'Dic mat[er]/ domini si/ in ierusale[m]/ eras qua[n]/ do captus/ fuit filius/ tuus & vi[nc]/ tus. Cui illa/ R[espond]et./ In ierusa/lem era[m]/ qua[n]do/ hoc aud[i]/ vi & gres[su]' (Say, Mother of the Lord, whether you were in Jerusalem when your son was captured and bound...To which she replies. I was in Jerusalem when I heard this and by walking...[where I could I came weeping to my Lord).
(For a detail of the Bernard roundel, see attached picture). Bernard has 'tuft'.
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