The Cimabue crucifix shown here, became a symbol of the Florence flood of November 4, 1966,
when the entire nave of Sta. Croce, Pazzi Chapel, and refectory were innundated beneath the flood waters.
The crucifix , painted by Cimabue (1266-71) was hanging in the refectory at that time,
and the swirling flood waters tore it off its mounting adjacent to the wall.
It was found covered with mud and detritus from the flood,
as were thousands of other works of art and architecture in Florence that day.
The damage on Cimabue's crucifix was so great, that most of the paint was totally destrooyed.

In spite of massive restoration efforts, what we see in this image
is the best that restorers could accomplish.
It was preferred to leave it as we see it here, rather than attempt to "paint in"
the parts of Christ's body and face as they originally appeared prior to the flood.
which would make the crucifix less authentic than if left alone
to show the ravages of time and the disaster of the great flood of 1966.