GOZZOLI, Benozzo
(b. ca. 1420, Firenze, d. 1497, Pistoia)

St Nicholas of Bari (on the pillar)

1464-65
Fresco
Apsidal chapel, Sant'Agostino, San Gimignano

St Nicholas was the bishop of Myra in Lycia (now in Turkey), which is why he is also known as Nicholas of Myra, and he died in about 350. His relics were stolen from Myra by pirates in 1087 and brought to Bari, which explains the saint's official name. He is holding three golden balls in his hand, which according to the so-called legend of the virgins he gave to three impoverished girls so that they would have a dowry befitting their station and would not be disgraced.