Rediscovery of a Crucifix from the 1400's at the church of San Leolino

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Experts and scholars shined the spotlight on one of the most prestigious artistic and architectural treasures of the Chianti region.

It occurred during a day of study dedicated to the church of San Leolino, not far from Panzano in Chianti, and its treasures. The initiative was promoted by Nicola Bernini with the patronage of the Township of Greve in Chianti, through the museum network of Chianti Valdarno.

The day of study presented the crucifix, created by a Florentine artist at the end of the 1400’s, for the first time. It was organized by Nicola Bernini and the Community of San Leolino, which manages the church since1997 and which contributed to organize the event.

“The work,” explains Bernini, “was restored by Manola Bernini from Figline Valdarno, thanks to the support of the Friends of Florence. Introducing the renewed crucifix was a functionary from  the superintendency, Claudio Paolini”.

Giuseppina Carlotta Cianferoni, expert in Etruscan Chianti, illustrated the history of Panzano  and the neighboring area in Etruscan and Roman times, putting the accent on the centrality of the area and on the discovery, in the 1700’s, of the lost Etruscan stele found not far from the church of San Leolino.

The day’s program featured Italo Moretti, who presented the architectural phases of the church. Gabriele Fattorini talked about the triptych of the so-called “Maestro di Panzano”, an artist from the second half of the 14th century.

The meeting continued with a talk by Isabella Gagliardi, who reconstructed the identity of Leolino, through the history of titles and dedications in his regard, utilizing literature sources and underlining the cult of “fiesolinità”.

The day ended with contributions by Guido Tigler, known among the studious of high medieval and romanic sculpture and Lorenzo Gnocchi, student of Carlo del Bravo. Sonia Chiodo from the Sagas department of the University of Florence also intervened with a discussion on the late Gothic painters working among the hills of Chianti, and so did Andrea De Marchi, from the same department, who talked about the artist, Meliore.