Ornamento St. Ambrose of Milan (Frameless) Oval Acrylic

St. Ambrose of Milan was born around c. 340 in Augusta Treverorum (modern Trier, Germany). Raised in Rome, he studied literature, law, and rhetoric, that is, advanced public speaking, entered public life, served as a Roman governor, and eventually became a priest and served as Bishop of Milan from 374 until his death in 397. + In this image, a seated St. Ambrose is clad in bishop’s garb: miter, white alb, and cope that is dark violet in color with a rose-pink lining. His crosier (not visible here) leans against a column on his right (our left). He is writing. He holds a quill pen in his right hand and balances a book on his knee. On the windowsill behind him sits a beehive, his principal attribute. St. Ambrose is patron saint of bees, beehives, beekeepers, and candle makers. + Feast: December 7 + Image Credit (BEN 001): Antique image of St. Ambrose of Milan, originally published as an oleograph by Benziger, Einsiedeln, Switzerland, late 19th century, from the designer’s private collection of religious ephemera. An oleograph is a special kind of chromolithograph with a shiny or polished coating to make its image more closely resemble an oil painting.