Saint Martin of Tours
Unknown Artist
c. 1480–1500
Medium
polychromed walnut
Dimensions
124.5 × 105.1 × 41.9 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust
Accession Number
1915.563
About this artwork
According to tradition, Saint Martin was born during the reign of Constantine the Great (306–37 CE) and served as a member of the Roman cavalry in Gaul. There he earned a reputation for humility and boundless charity. During the severe winter of 322 CE at Amiens, Martin's compassion for others led him to divide his cloak with his sword, and to give half to a poor, naked beggar. This event, along with Martin's subsequent vision of the beggar as Christ, eventually led to the saint's widespread pop...