The artwork titled “Death of Adam (detail)” was created by Piero della Francesca circa 1452. This fresco, which forms part of the larger series “The Legend of the True Cross,” exemplifies the Early Renaissance art movement and is a noteworthy piece of religious painting. The artwork is housed in the Basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo, Italy.
In the artwork, an elderly, bearded man, presumably Adam, is the central figure, depicted in a seated position with a pained expression. He is surrounded by several figures, some of whom are notably younger and dressed in various states of undress, while others are attired in simple robes. The background features a wooded landscape, with hints of celestial imagery visible in the sky. The composition and the figures’ solemn expressions contribute to the evocative representation of the biblical narrative of Adam’s death. The carefully executed fresco showcases Piero della Francesca’s mastery of human form, emotion, and the use of perspective, hallmark traits of the Early Renaissance period.
