Saint John of Damascus
A stained-glass window that recounts episodes from the life of Saint John of Damascus can be seen inside Milan Cathedral. It was made between 1478 and 1489 and offered by the Guild of Apothecaries (present-day pharmacists), of whom John of Damascus is Patron Saint.
Stained-glass window V25
It is in the form of three lancets and collects 30 historiated panels, which must be read from bottom to top, and from left to right. It is a work by Niccolò da Varallo, a master glassmaker active for a long time within the Cathedral workshop.
Saint John of Damascus goes to the market (1882) by Pompeo BertiniVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Over the course of time, the panels have been moved and undergone various restorations and renovations. Some are the results of deep renovations made in 19th century by the Bertini family, and others are part of foreign art collections (Victoria &Albert Museum and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum).
Saint John of Damascus dresses in monk’s attire (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The life of Saint John of Damascus is set out as episodes taken from the Speculum Historialis by Vincenzo di Beauvais (13th century): the panels tell us of an existence devoted to study and teaching.
The birth and first bathing of Saint John of Damascus (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The individual scenes are framed within proto-Renaissance environments, as in the case of the panel dedicated to the Saint's birth. John Damascene was born in Damascus, Syria, around 657.
The monk Cosmo instructs Saint John of Damascus (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
St. John's childhood is marked by his master Cosmo, a Sicilian monk deported to Damascus as a slave.
Saint John of Damascus holds a professorship at the age of twelve (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
He distinguishes himself from a young age: St. John of Damascus is depicted teaching to an attentive and alert audience, providing evidence of his wisdom and knowledge.
Saint John of Damascus praying before the Madonna (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
At a certain point, Saint John finds his vocation: Niccolò da Varallo depicted him praying to the Virgin Mary.
Saint John tells his relatives of his vocation (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Life goes by, and Saint John of Damascus confides to his family the desire to follow a nascent religious vocation: he tells his relatives of his vocation.
Saint John of Damascus retires to the convent (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Among the most significant panels, there is the one dedicated to his life within the monastery: Saint John is represented in the scene in red robes and hat surrounded by fellow monks.
Saint John of Damascus dresses in monk’s attire (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Very touching is the panel depicting his vestment, one of the most significant episodes in the Saint's life. His entrance into the monastery took place around 700. His haircut represents the renunciation of the world by the devout who have taken their vows.
Saint John of Damascus teaches children (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The choice of episodes tells of a man dedicated to teaching, as illustrated within the panel in which Saint John of Damascus holds a language school.
Saint John of Damascus offers his works to Saint Mary (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
He offeres his life and work to the Madonna, making his own existence an example of rectitude and sanctity.
Saint John of Damascus receives the prince's son (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
A leading figure in the history of Byzantine theology, as well as a distinguished doctor in the history of the universal Church, Saint John of Damascus was a defender of sacred images against the choices of bizantine emperor.
The deception of the forged letter (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
But very soon, St. John is victim of a slanderous false letter...
The false letter is brought to the emperor (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The missive is brought to the emperor...
The arrest of Saint John of Damascus (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Saint John of Damascus tries to apologise and exlpaine the deceit to the emperor, but in the end he is arrested!
The torture of Saint John of Damascus (1519/1525) by Pietro da VelateVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
... his hand is cut off, with tremendous torment, a terrific moment depicted in this panel depicting the torture of Saint John of Damascus.
The hand of Saint John of Damascus hanged from the city's portal (1480/1516) by Niccolò da Varallo (information available from 1420 to 1489) and Pietro da Velate (?) (second decade of the 16th century)Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The hand of Saint John of Damascus hanged from the city's portal...
The hand of Saint John of Damascus is reattached through Saint Mary's intervention (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The Saint is depicted lying down, his head resting on a cushion, as Madonna performs the miracle: the hand is then reattached through Saint Mary's intervention.
The monks verify the mircale of the reattached hand (1479/1489) by Niccolò da VaralloVeneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
St. John of Damascus dies at Mar Saba on 749, the day now dedicated to his liturgical commemoration. Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Universal Church in 1890. He is Patron Sanit of painters, people missing limbs and pharmacists.
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