St. Leonard

myminifactory

This exquisite St. Leonard was crafted at the renowned workshop of the Della Robbia family, Florence's most celebrated ceramic sculptors during the Renaissance. The refined composition of the figure, the meticulous modeling of the face, hands and garments, and the exceptional qualities of the white glaze all attest to its production under the expert hand of Andrea Della Robbia. Destined for the Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém (Jerónimos), it arrived in Lisbon before 1514 as part of a group of commissioned images originating from Florence, which included Our Lady of the Stars. St. Leonard was born in the fifth century in Gaul, where his prayers miraculously saved Queen Clotilde from a life-threatening childbirth ordeal. In gratitude for this intervention, King Clovis granted him land to establish the monastery of the White Friars of Noblac (Limoges), bestowing upon him the authority to pardon condemned men and liberate those already imprisoned. As such, he is revered as the patron saint of prisoners and the protector of women in childbirth. The white cloak, book of monastic knowledge, and shackles held by St. Leonard in his hands vividly evoke this poignant story.