Saint Augustine at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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This extraordinary representation of Saint Augustine, born in Burgundi, France circa 1450-75, boasts an impressive size that sets it apart from other works of art. Crafted from limestone and adorned with vibrant paint and gilding, this masterpiece is a testament to the skill of its creators. Saint Augustine of Hippo (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430) was a renowned Christian theologian and philosopher whose profound writings had a lasting impact on Western Christianity and philosophy. As the bishop of Hippo Regius (modern-day Annaba, Algeria), he played a pivotal role in shaping the development of Western Christianity during the Patristic Era. His influential works include City of God and Confessions. According to his contemporary, Jerome, Augustine "renewed the ancient Faith." Initially influenced by Manichaeism and later by Neo-Platonism, Augustine developed his unique approach to philosophy and theology after his baptism and conversion to Christianity in 387. He believed that the grace of Christ was essential for human freedom and made significant contributions to the doctrine of original sin and just war theory. As the Western Roman Empire began to decline, Augustine formulated the concept of the Catholic Church as a spiritual City of God, distinct from the material world. His ideas profoundly influenced the medieval worldview, shaping the segment of the Church that adhered to the Trinity as defined by the Council of Nicaea and the Council of Constantinople. In the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion, Augustine is revered as a saint, a preeminent Doctor of the Church, and the patron of the Augustinians. His memorial is celebrated on August 28, the day of his passing. He is also the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, the alleviation of sore eyes, and numerous cities and dioceses. Many Protestants, particularly Calvinists, consider him to be one of the theological fathers of the Protestant Reformation due to his teachings on salvation and divine grace. In contrast, in the East, some of his teachings are not accepted, leading to important doctrinal controversies surrounding his name, including the filioque.