Saint Bavo
Circa 1460
Limestone with traces of polychromy
North Netherlands
Metropolitan Museum of Art
St. Bavo was born into the nobility of Brabant but converted to a life of preaching and meditation. This image pictures him before his conversion, with a sword. military boots, and an elaborate "chaperon" hat that was fashionable at the time.
It is not clear why this sculpture has him carrying a book bag.
Read more about images of St. Bavo.
Photographed at the Metropolitan by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.