Guild of Farriers and ironsmiths

Rights Managed

SS21399075

Relief panel accompanying the marble statue of St. Eligius created in 1417 by the Italian sculptor Nanni d'Antonio di Banco. It was commissioned by the Arte dei Maniscalchi guild of farriers and ironsmiths for an external niche of the Church of Orsanmichele in Florence. St. Eligius was a French bishop who began his career as a goldsmith. The panel illustrates the legend of St. Eligius shoeing a fractious horse that he believed was possessed by demons. He cut off the horse's foreleg and, while the horse stood on its remaining three legs, re-shod the hoof then miraculously re-attached the amputated leg.

SHEILA TERRY / Science Source

SS2CT67213_20180614