The work - attributable to the years of maturity (1720-1725) of the famous Genoese artist, specialist in Crucifixes and "fraterie" which in this canvas are combined - in the almost absolute brown monochrome of the painting brings out, through essential white brushstrokes, the moment at the same time sad and glorious of Christ, who with his death and resurrection gives man salvation. Francis of Assisi, himself an essential man both in the style of life and in the profession of faith, depicted at the foot of the cross in an act of adoration and gratitude, represents redeemed humanity.

Bibliography
Visioni ed estasi. Capolavori dell’arte europea tra Seicento e Settecento. Catalog of the Vatican City exhibition, Braccio di Carlo Magno (10 ottobre 2003-1 gennaio 2004); Catalog of the Genoa exhibition, Galleria di Palazzo Franzoni (14 febbraio-16 maggio 2004), Milano, Skira, 2004.
Alessandro Magnasco 1667-1749. Catalog of the exhibition Genoa, Palazzo Reale (21 marzo – 7 luglio 1996), a cura di M. Bona Castellotti e F. Franchini Guelfi, Milano, Electa, 1996