Wooden crucifix dating from the late 11th or 12th century in the Cathedral of S Martino, Lucca. During the Middle Ages theVolto Santo was considered to be an authentic portrait of Christ and to have been sculpted by the Pharisee Nicodemus who was an eyewitness of the Passion. Early documents, dating from the second half of the 11th and the 12th centuries, make reference to an already widespread cult of a holy cross. (Oxford Art Online)