St. Eligius and the Fascination of an Ancient Profession

Along the southern side of Milan Duomo is possible to admire the historiated stained-glass window depicting episodes from the life of Saint Eligius. It was donated in 1478 by the Goldsmiths Association.

The work entrusted in a first phase to Cristoforo and Agostino de' Mottis, based on cartoons by Vincenzo Foppa, and was later completed by Niccolò da Varallo.

The 18 sections are divided into  lancets and recount the path of Eligius towards sanctity using a simple and luminous style.

Niccolò da Varallo recounted episodes from daily life, sketches representing internal scenes, as in the section dedicated to Saint Eligius' dream.

Saint Eligius is the patron saint of goldsmiths, blacksmiths, metalworkers, cutlers, and those working with horses.

An architectural perspective - 19th-century panels by the Bertini family - opens the narration of the episodes.

They are followed by a triptych recounting the birth of the saint: Eligius was born in Chaptelat in 588.

His talent appeared at a young age: since he was a young boy, Eligius showed an astonishing gift for engraving.

His father took him to the studio of the goldsmith Abbo in Lyon, so he would hire him as an apprentice.

The life of Eligius blossomed, he found nourishment in the art of goldsmithing. Not satisfied with his success, he moved to Paris, where, thanks to his talent, he became the treasurer for the King of France Clotaire II.

He forged a splendid throne for him.

Despite his skill, Eligius led a modest life, he was a hospitable man.

When the king died, he stepped up his charitable work. Eligius therefore chose a religious life, and was ordained as a priest.

In 641, he became the Bishop of Noyon-Tournai.

He dedicated his life to the creation of several monasteries, a triptych illustrates Eligius while is blessing the laying of the first stone, and he was  establishing places of worship and prayer.

The window ends in the top part with an episode in which the sanctity of Eligius emerges with his transforming power.

With his touch, the bishop heals the injured hoof of a horse.

Two sections originally part of this stained-glass window are now kept in the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston.

Two others are stored in the Rotch Library of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Saint Eligius' funeral and Saint Eligius promotes peace between the King of France and the Duke of Brittany).

Read more on Milan Cathedral Remixed.