St. Elzear Curing the Lepers in the Walters Art Museum, September 2009

Saint Elzéar Curing the Lepers


Creator: French (Artist)

Period: ca. 1373 (Medieval)

Medium: marble (Sculpture)

Accession Number: 27.16

Measurements: H: 17 1/8 x W: 15 3/16 x D: 4 3/4 in. (43.5 x 38.5 x 12 cm)

Geographies: Tomb of Saint Elzéar in Apt, France (Place of Origin)


Franciscan mystic and miracle worker, Saint Elzear of Sabran (1285-1323) is shown curing three lepers, whose deformed features make his cure seem that much more miraculous. This group was carved to ornament the base of the saint's tomb, constructed in 1373 in the Franciscan church of his native Apt in the southern French region of Provence. Although Provence is on the trade routes between Italy and northern Europe, this sculptor was apparently little affected by international influences.

Text from: art.thewalters.org/detail/25661/saint-elz233ar-curing-the...