Illumination of the Holy Cross in St. Peter's

Unknown artist

Every year on Good Friday – two days before Easter – a Holy Cross illuminated by 628 candles was hung over the nave of St Peter’s Basilica. Desprez chose an unexpected viewpoint, with the monumental pillar in the foreground and a spectacular <chiaroscuro> effect. He thus achieved this dream-like vision of the cross seemingly floating in the church’s cavernous space.