St. Gregory the Great
Author: Belchior da Fonseca
Origin: Coimbra, Portugal
Dating: 1583
Material: Oil on Wood
Dimensions (cm): 58 x 91
Inv. no.: MNMC2636 / PD1143
This painting represents Saint Gregory the Great, born in Rome in 540, who embraced religious life as a Benedictine monk. He earned a great reputation after he was sent as a Vatican Ambassador to Constantinople and, in 590, he was unanimously proclaimed as Pope.
His Pontificate was characterized by efforts to reorganize the Church by reforming the Liturgy and developing the Gregorian chant. He came to be recognized as one of the four Fathers of the Latin Church and was soon canonized after his death in 604.
