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

St Gimignano (on the pillar)

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

The patron saint of San Gimignano was a local saint, and he is holding a realistic view of the town in his hands. According to legend, he is supposed to have protected it from Attila's attacks while he was bishop of Modena. This prompted the little town, formerly called Silvio, to change its name to Gimignano.