Dominico Veneziano (1410 - 1461 C.E.) belonged to the early Renaissance period of Italy. He was a crucial figure of the 15th century Florentine school of painting. Very little information is known about his early life and the first documented reference of him is understood through a letter by Venetiano to the artist Piero de’Micci in 1483. This work of Monk holding a Cross is attributed to Saint Francis or Saint Dominic and has been compared with the figure of Saint Francis in the Uffizi panel by several authors. Others have attributed the work to Saint Philip Benizzi, patron saint of Florence, the city where Veneziano was born and where he served as a member of the Servite order. It is claimed as Philip Benezzi as the saint is usually depicted with a crucifix, wearing a papal tiara and dressed in the habit of his order. However, after many claims by the authors, the identity of the monk still remains uncertain. The painting presents a depth of emotional intensity and force by the rendition of the hands, face and even the folds of the monastic habit by the artist. The form has been given a three-dimensional appearance through his tempera technique. The focus is solely restrained towards the monk which allows the psychological and physical presence of the figure to dominate the panel.
Domenico Veneziano's Monk Holding a Cross is not only a devotional image but in fact, a fascinating portrayal of devout spiritual presence revealed in terms of the human form. Painted some 500 odd years ago, during the years of 1445 to1448, there remains much mystery surrounding this monk's identity-scholars range from saints Francis and Dominic to many others. However, for me personally, I find the juxtaosition of the monk's black raiment and the perfectly modeled warm tone of flesh in his face, to be quite profound and moving.
What draws me in is his extreme gesture; and it becomes so much stronger with his profile, as he extendes his body forward while grasping the crucifix and thereby creating such a presence through that pose.
What is so special and striking is the sheer humanity displayed in his eyes, which make his devotion feel so convincing and palpable; he seems to possess an inner force which enables his commitment, allowing one the understanding that an individual can possess a humility and an absolute, sheer resolve when it is deeply felt as it is in his, and in his unwavering grip.
