Polyptych of the Misericordia

1445-1462 - Oil and tempera on panel, base 330 cm, height 273 cm, Pinacoteca Comunale, Sansepolcro

In 1445, the Compagnia della Misericordia, a religious fellowship in Borgo San Lorenzo, asked Piero to paint a polyptych that was to be completed in three years. Having quite a long time at his disposal, he thought he could use precious colours on a solid gold background. But Piero did not keep to the contract timing because he was overwhelmed by more important projects. The polyptych was finished only 20 years later.
The oldest parts are the two panels with Saint Sebastian and and Saint John the Baptist, on the left side of the main panel. Here Saint Sebastian shows, more clearly than anywhere else, a close relation with Masaccio's naked figures, even if the posture is quite awkward although realistic.
Later, Piero painted the tympanum panels with the Crucifixion in the centre and Saint Benedict, the Angel and the Annunciation Virgin on the sides. Saint Andrew and Saint Bernardine were finished around 1450.