“Jerusalem”
of San Vivaldo
Montaione

The Road to Calvary chapel is one of the most architecturally elegant structures on the site, with harmonious proportions and a classical motif of capitals and entablature framing the façade. Inside is a grandiose scene of the procession accompanying Jesus to Calvary, in which figures of Joseph of Arimathea, Simon of Cyrene and the thieves can be identified. The two side doors invite visitors to join the crowd and follow Jesus towards Calvary by entering from the right and exiting on the left. It is thought that the dark-skinned soldier behind Jesus – a figure also found in other chapel paintings – is a depiction of the Devil.

The small oratory dedicated to the Madonna dello Spasimo (Madonna of Anguish), although single-naved, has an elegant portico atop columns with Tuscan capitals adding interest externally, and hosts a group of sculptures attributed to Agnolo di Polo, one of the most remarkable in the complex in terms of artistic value and emotional engagement. It centers around a pale, anguished Madonna who has fainted, supported by elegant figures of John the Evangelist and the Pious Women, as well as a sweetly charming Mary Magdalene. The softly draped ropes, the bowed heads creating a harmonious composition, and the facial expressions all come together to draw the visitor and intensely feel the Virgin’s sorrow.

The square chapel with two terracotta arches atop the corner pilasters, hosts the most dramatic scene from the Via Dolorosa, the Crucifixion of Christ between two thieves.  The wall with the three crosses against it offers another example of ingenious integration between fresco painting and terracotta sculpture to create an illusion of perspective. The thieves’ bodies express more dynamic writhing than Christ, whose face and pose are more conventional. Attached to the chapel is the Stabat Mater shrine with statues of Mary, John and the Pious Women set in a lower niche, creating an intensely theatrical effect in which they appear stand by, taking part in the drama of Christ’s agony.