Skip to main content

Secondary sourcePainting14th century

St Benedict

Nardo di Cione · 14th century

A fourteenth-century gold-ground panel painting by Nardo di Cione showing Saint Benedict as a monk holding a staff and book.

A later artistic imagining of Benedict as the founder of monastic life, made long after his death.

Ask Saint Benedict about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Gilded arched panel painting of a bearded monk in a white hooded habit, holding a staff in his left hand and a red book in his right, with a golden halo and gold background, set in an ornate gilt frame.
Nardo di Cione, St Benedict, 14th century. Nationalmuseum, Sweden.

About this source

What it is

This is a panel painting by the Italian artist Nardo di Cione, made in the 14th century. It shows Saint Benedict as a bearded monk wearing a white hooded habit, holding a staff and a red book, with a golden halo against a gold background. It is held by the Nationalmuseum in Sweden.

Why it matters

Painted many centuries after Benedict lived, this image reflects how Italian artists and the church wanted him remembered: as a dignified, holy founder of monastic life. The book and staff are symbols of his teaching and leadership. It tells us more about religious art of Nardo di Cione's time than about Benedict's actual appearance.

Look closer

  • What do the staff and book suggest about Benedict's role?
  • Why might the artist use gold for the background and halo?
  • Since no image of Benedict was made in his own lifetime, what does that mean for how reliable this portrait is?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Benedict on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Saint Benedict sources

Meet the AI Saint Benedict →
Open pages of a medieval Latin manuscript on aged parchment, with handwritten black text in columns, red initials and rubrics, and a large decorated illuminated initial on the left page. The text appears to be a copy of a monastic rule.Book

Primary source

Rule of Saint Benedict

Benedict of Nursia · c. 600

A large monastery complex with a central dome and bell tower sits on top of a wooded hill under a clear blue sky. Dense green trees cover the hillside below the long pale building.Artifact

Secondary source

Monte Cassino

founded c. 529/530

Detail of a faded fresco showing a hooded, bald monk in a cream-colored robe seated at a white-draped table, holding a small cup. To the left, a woman in a blue blouse and orange skirt pours from a jug. Behind the table, a young man in green holds a tray, and another figure stands in a dark red robe. At the right edge, an older seated man in a light robe is partly visible.Painting

Secondary source

Fresco Cycle of the Life of St Benedict at Monte Oliveto Maggiore

Luca Signorelli and Sodoma · 1497-1505 (fresco cycle); abbey founded 1313

A dim, orange-lit chamber shows a large metal reliquary chest with three decorative hinged straps and studded ornamental fittings, set on a stone plinth. A brass plaque reads 'RELIQUES DE SAINT BENOIT 480-547'.Artifact

Secondary source

Reliquary of Saint Benedict at Fleury

A large, wrinkled parchment spread out on a dark background, with faded reddish and brown ink lines forming architectural plans of buildings, rooms, and circular features. Some handwritten text is visible at the lower left edge.Artifact

Secondary source

Plan of Saint Gall

c. 820-830

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Saint Benedict now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions