The representation of the subject closely follows the Gospel narrative, in that the centurion who exclaims 'truly this was the Son of God' is distinguished from the spear holder who was later named Longinus and miraculously cured of partial blindness.
Though the attribution of the panel has much been debated - with some scholars attributing it to Duccio, the founder of the Sienese school of painting, and others to several of his followers - few dispute its quality and importance.
Provenance
Earls of Crawford. Christie's, 1976.