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Private Tours of the Vatican Museums

St Helen and the True Cross

1/8/2019

 
Private Tours of Rome 
St Helena by Andrea Bolgi, St Peter's Basilica, Rome
St Helena by Andrea Bolgi

In one of the four niches of the crossing in St Peter's Basilica stands a colossal statue (1629-39) of Santa Helena, the work of Andrea Bolgi (1605-56).

Helena (c. 246-c. 330) was the mother of the emperor Constantine the Great (r. 306-337). Legend has it that, on a pilgrimage to Christian sites in Palestine, she discovered the actual Cross on which Christ was crucified. 

Andrea Bolgi hailed from the Tuscan city of Carrara and the sculptor proudly inscribed his name and the city of his birth on the neckline of Saint Helen's tunic: ANDREAS BOLGIUS CARRARIENSIS F. 1639 (Andrea Bolgi from Carrara made this, 1639). 

Statue of St Helena signed and dated by Andrea Bolgi, St Peter's Basilica, Rome.
Inscription by Andrea Bolgi

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    Blogging about the Vatican 

    My name is David Lown and I am an art historian from Cambridge, England.

    Since 200I I have been living in Italy, where I run
    ​ private tours of Florence, Rome &
    Venice.

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  • Private Tours
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  • Contact
  • Rome
  • Vatican
  • Florence
  • Venice
  • Tuscany
  • Gallery
  • Year in Art