Four Scenes from the Early Life of Saint Zenobius
- Artist: Sandro Botticelli
- Date: about 1500
- Medium: egg tempera on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Four Scenes from the Early Life of Saint Zenobius" painted in the Italian north around 1500 by Sandro Botticelli.
We have here four scenes that show the early life of Florence's patron saint, Zenobius. He was converted to Christianity at a young age and this painting shows key moments from his conversion to becoming Bishop of Florence.
Let's take it from left to right. The first scene shows Zenobius walking sadly away from his fiancée. It seems he rejected the idea of marriage in favour of a life serving God.
In the next scene, we see Zenobius's mother being baptised under an elaborate building with columns decorated with gold. She was initially critical of her son's decision to become a Christian but eventually followed suit.
The third scene is a bit more dramatic. Here, Saint Theodorus baptises Zenobius surrounded by young men in white vestments, perhaps members of the religious group devoted to him who ordered this painting.
Finally, we see Zenobius kneeling before Pope Damasus, ready to be ordained as Bishop of Florence. It's interesting to note how Botticelli has beautified and idealised his home city in this panel, showing cleaner and wider streets than they actually were.
See it in person
Four Scenes from the Early Life of Saint Zenobius hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
