2. Procession of the Queen of Sheba; Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
Legend of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca

The tree that grows on the patriarch's grave is chopped down by King Solomon and its wood, which could not be used for anything else, is thrown across a stream to serve as a bridge. The Queen of Sheba, on her journey to see Solomon and hear his words of wisdom, is about to cross the stream, when by a miracle she learns that the Saviour will be crucified on that wood. She kneels in devout adoration.

Queen of Sheba's encounter with Solomon takes place in a temple-like structure. Solomon stands with his courtiers; the queen, entering from the right, deferentially bows to him. The queen prophesied to Solomon that the dominion of the Jews would one day be destroyed by the man who would hang from that beam. Solomon's response was to have the beam sunk in a well.

The two episodes are shown in the same fresco, separated from each other by the column of the royal palace: the Procession of the Queen of Sheba is on the left, the Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon on the right.

Preview Picture Data Info
2. Procession of the Queen of Sheba; Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco, 336 x 747 cm
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2a. Procession of the Queen of Sheba (detail)
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo


2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
1452-66
Fresco
San Francesco, Arezzo



Legend of the True Cross
1. Death of Adam
2. Procession of the Queen of Sheba; Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
3. Burial of the Holy Wood
4. Vision of Constantine
5. Constantine's Victory over Maxentius
6. Torture of the Jew
7. Finding and Recognition of the True Cross
8. Battle between Heraclius and Chosroes
9. Exaltation of the Cross
Annunciation
Other paintings in the Cappella Maggiore
Restoration of the fresco cycle
Main page of the fresco cycle



© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.