Giovanni Bellini (attrib.)
St. Maurice

Circa 1453
Illumination on parchment
From a manuscript of J. A. Marcello's Passion de saint Maurice et de ses compagnons
Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal, Paris

Maurice was the leader of the "Theban Legion," Roman soldiers who were executed for refusing to kill Christians. Here he wears a fanciful take on contemporary armor. Most portraits of St. Maurice dispense with the palm branch. This one makes up for it with a gigantic branch. The Old French motto below the shield, los en croissent, means "Their glory increases," referring to both Maurice and his companions.

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