Bicci di Lorenzo: Saint Blaise of Sebastea (1445)

(Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, USA)

A painting by the Italian artist Bicci di Lorenzo (1373–1452). Saint Blaise of Sebastea (died in A.D. 315) was a physician and bishop of the Armenian city Sebastea who was martyred for his faith, tortured with iron combs (he is holding an iron comb in his left hand) and beheaded. Saint Blaise is the patron saint of wool combers and protects against various deceases of the throat. Painting from 1445.