|
|
|
St. Benedict
Born - c. 480 in
Nursia, Italy
Died - 22 March 543 in Monte
Cassino
Feastday
- 11 July
Sculptor
- unknown
The statue has a rather crude style and is not
attributed to any known sculptor active on the north arm of
the colonnade.
Statue
created - c. 1667-1668
The statue was installed between May
1667 and July 1668.
Height
- 3.1 m. (10ft 4in) travertine
The saint dressed in a
monastic cowl, and raises his left hand, which perhaps
originally held an object. His right hand holds a book, which
alludes to his 'Rule'.
Benedict founded twelve communities
for monks at Subiaco, Italy, before moving to Monte Cassino.
He wrote the 'Rule of St Benedict", containing precepts
for his monks. He is known as the patriarch of the monks of
the West, and is honored as a patron saint of Europe
and students.
|
Sources:
Roma Sacra - San Pietro in Vaticano, Itineraries 21-22, ©Fabbrica
of St. Peter's, July 2001
Le Statue Berniniani del Colonnato di San Pietro by Valentino
Martinelli ©1987 by de Luca
Editore
This
independent website is not endorsed by or associated with the Vatican,
the Fabbrica of St. Peter's, or any business organization
Contact:
stpetersbasilica@gmail.com
|
