SODOMA, Il
(b. 1477, Vercelli, d. 1549, Siena)

Life of St Benedict, Scene 13: Benedict Frees a Monk

1505-08
Fresco
Abbazia, Monteoliveto Maggiore

Scene 13 of the cycle on the life of St Benedict depicts Benedict freeing a monk who has been possessed by whipping him.

In a number of scenes Benedict is required to be stern with his weaker brothers, either because they have become possessed by demons (Scene 13) or because they have given in to their cravings (Scene 25).