The construction of the current Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy was completed in the mid-15th century, but the façade was not added until 1863. From the outside, the church is covered with polychrome marble. The façade was financed by an Englishman Sir Francis Sloane, an art collector whose collections formed the foundation of the British Museum in London.
The base of the building is in the shape of an Egyptian cross or the St. Anthony’s cross. The Central Naveis 155 m long and contains two rows of octagonal stone columns. Along the walls are the graves of prominent people from Florence. We can find here the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Rossini and Galileo. There is also an empty Dante's tomb. The Italian poet and philosopher was condemned to exile from Florence. He died and was buried in Ravena. The Council of Florence came to regret having Dante exiled and built a tomb for him in Santa Croce, but the remains were never moved. Dante's burial place remains in Ravena to this day.
The Last Supper was an incredibly popular subject for Italian Renaissance artists. The painters wanted to capture the dramatic moment of Christianity. The day before crucifixion, twelve apostles have gathered for the last meal and Jesus announces that one of them will betray him. In Santa Croce we will find Taddeo Gaddi's fresco Tree of Life and the Last Supper. The "Tree of Life" represents a cross with twelve branches. The Last Supper is visible at the bottom. What distinguishes this interpretation is that Judas is isolated from the others on the opposite side of the table, opposite Jesus.
