The Giunta Pisano (meaning "pisanets Junta.") should probably be considered the most inventive artist of the first half of the XIII century, whose influence spread to the XIV century. The picturesque manner of the Giunta led the origin of Pisa school of the late XII — early XIII century, which was dominated by Byzantine iconography, and is also influenced by the works created in the workshop, Berlingeri. However, it was necessary to have a sharp observation and powerful imagination to the Byzantine prototype of the crucifixion to transform into the image of the dying Christ, filled with deep suffering, as did the Giunta.
Today there are three painted crosses on which bears the signature of the Giunta: this is a "Cross" from the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi, the "cross" from the Museo Nazionale di San Matteo, Pisa and the famous "Cross" from the Church of San Domenico, Bologna. Their location can be determined that the Giunta di CAPITANO was a famous master and worked not only in Pisa, but also received orders from other cities. In the archival documents preserved record of 1239 that in Rome came to his son, the priest, Leopardo, "Giovanni Pisano, the pupil of the wizard, Giunta," on what basis do the researchers suggest that the master Giunta received orders from Rome.
The most famous story associated with his name, refers to 1236 and painted the cross (unfortunately not preserved) created by the Giunta for the Lower Church of San Francesco in Assisi by the order of Elijah Korenskeho head of the Franciscan order. It was probably the first cross Giunta with a vivid display of Christ's suffering. But in addition, at the foot of the crucifix Giunta gave a picture of Ilya Korenskeho that was at the time unprecedented and caused dissatisfaction of the brethren, and so was not very fond of his head, believing that he too is prone to gluttony, luxury, etc.
Also signed by the Giunta of the works mentioned above, his hand or his workshop researchers attributed to a number of works stored in various museums of the world: three different altar image with the image SV. Francis and scenes from his life (Pisa, Museo Nazionale di San Matteo; Assisi, the Treasury of the monastery; Rome, Vatican Pinacoteca), painted four cross (two of them in Pisa, Museo Nazionale di San Matteo, then Venice, Cini collection, and Northampton, Museum of art Smith College), and two fragments of a painted cross from the National gallery of art, Washington, and two boards with scenes from the life of Christ from the Pushkin Museum. Pushkin, Moscow. All compositions Giunta have not exact dates.
