The article gives the historical background and state of conservation of a 15th c. polychrome wood crucifix attributed to Michelozzo di Bartolommeo in the church of San Niccolò Oltrarno, Florence (Italy). It is the first representation of Christ as a male nude. It was damaged especially by the 1966 flood. The restoration report, by F. Giannelli, follows in the same volume. The restoration also brought to light a particular technique used by the artist: the Christ is carved from pear wood over which a thick layer of gesso was laid. This was used to model the body, creating a sense of the softness of fresh.