Saint Thomas Aquinas

This panel showing Saint Thomas Aquinas is part of the large 'Demidoff Altarpiece' made for the high altar of San Domenico in Ascoli Piceno, east central Italy.

Born in Italy in around 1225, Thomas's father had him educated in preparation for high office. However, while studying at Naples University, the young Aquinas came into contact with the brothers of Saint Dominic, an order of monks dedicated to poverty and teaching, and decided to join them. His father sent his brothers to bring him home where he was imprisoned for two years until his father finally accepted his son's vocation.

Aquinas spent his life teaching and studying, producing one of the most important texts of the Catholic Church, the 'Summa Theologica'.

Aquinas is often shown with a sun on his chest (a symbol of sacred learning), and a pen, although Crivelli gives him a book instead. The artist also shows him holding a church which he has painted in extraordinary detail. Use the zoom to look at its chipped masonry and the plants growing out of the brickwork. Its spire has clearly been repaired, and there is even a tiny figure visible in the doorway.