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Benozzo began his stay in Montefalco (Umbria) in the second half of 1449. There he at first worked in the monastery church of San Fortunato, renovated in 1446, which is situated 1,2 km outside the town on the road to Spoleto. Only fractions now remain of the cycle of frescoes dating from 1450. A lunette fresco of the Madonna and Child between St Francis and St Bernadine of Siena above the entrance portal has survived. On the right altar there was originally a painting of the church's patron saint, St Fortunatus Enthroned, but it was severely damaged in the 17th century when the altar was renovated. What has survived is the enthroned saint who, as usual, appears as a priest with a tonsure wearing a chasuble and holding a flowering staff in his right hand. The staff is a reference to his legend, according to which Fortunatus used it to drive oxen. When it was placed on his grave, the staff began to flower.
Fortunatus, who was born in Spoleto in about 400, converted the area around Montefalco. He is the patron saint of this town, and depictions of him are only found in the local area.
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