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Secondary sourcePainting1200

St. Benedict of Nursia and his sister St. Scholastica at table

1200

A medieval illuminated manuscript page showing Benedict seated at table with his sister Scholastica, alongside scenes of other female saints.

Depicts Benedict at table with his sister Scholastica, a well-known episode from his traditional biography.

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Illuminated manuscript page with four framed panels in red, green and gold. Top left: a bearded man in a dark robe and a veiled woman sit at a table with red cups and a bowl. Other panels show a woman in green fighting a brown winged demon, a haloed woman with outstretched arms beside a green serpent, and a haloed woman with a staff standing over a dragon. Latin text runs along the top and bottom margins.
Illuminator unknown, St. Benedict of Nursia and his sister St. Scholastica at table, 1200. KB, National Library of the Netherlands.

About this source

What it is

This is a page from an illuminated manuscript dated to 1200, now held by the KB, National Library of the Netherlands. It shows four framed panels, one depicting a bearded man and a veiled woman at a table, identified as Benedict of Nursia and his sister Scholastica.

Why it matters

This image reflects how medieval artists and monks remembered Benedict centuries after his life, connecting him to his sister Scholastica, who is honoured as a saint in her own right. It shows how stories about Benedict's life were retold and illustrated in religious manuscripts long after he lived.

Look closer

  • What details in the image suggest who the two figures at the table are meant to be?
  • Why might the other panels on the page show different saints or scenes?
  • What does the Latin text around the image tell us about who made this manuscript and for whom?

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.

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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

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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

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