Saint Bernard Vanquishing the Devil

Entitled: Saint Bernard Vanquishing the Devil. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 - August 20, 1153) was a French abbot and the primary reformer of the Cistercian order. He died at the age of 63, after 40 years as a monk. He was the first Cistercian placed on the calendar of saints, and was canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1174. In 1830 Pope Pius VIII bestowed upon Bernard the title Doctor of the Church'. Bernard is Dante Alighieri's last guide, in Divine Comedy, as he travels through the Empyrean. Dante's choice appears to be based on Bernard's contemplative mysticism, his devotion to Mary, and his reputation for eloquence. Anonymous woodcut, German, 15th century

Picture No

12698517

Media ID

48540400

Size

3165px x 4350px (4.3MB)

Credit

MMA/Prospect Hill Foundation/The Elisha Whittelsey Collection/Science Source/Mary Evans