Here you see Christ on the cross. Giovanni Bellini paints the cross right in front. It takes up the whole picture, almost as if it were blocking the way. While there is often a lot to discover in Carpaccio's paintings, Giovanni Bellini follows a completely different plan. Bellini paints his pictures to make people pause and reflect on their faith. The skulls under the cross represent transience and Adam's original sin. According to Christian belief, people are redeemed from original sin through the death of Jesus on the cross.
Behind the cross there are a few bare trees, only on the left side are new leaves growing on a branch. The fresh leaves represent the new beginning with the emergence of Christianity.
In the background you can see two buildings of the city of Vicenza: the cathedral and a tall tower. You can also see the cathedral of Ancona and the bell tower of the church of Santa Fosca in Venice.