Assignment #2: Your Patron Saint
Submitted by:
David Nippard
201005264
Submitted to:
Professor Sharon Gregory
Art 141
Survey of Western Art I
St. Francis Xavier University
November 19th, 2013
Saint David of Wales
Throughout the study of art during the Early Christian world, individuals may have
encountered a wide range of images involving narrative stories from the book of the bible, and
about the lives of the holy people that Christians call “saints”. According to the Oxford
Dictionary, a saint is a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian faith
as being in heaven after death1. Some examples of saints from the Early Christian world are
Constantine the Great, also known as Saint Constantine who was a Roman emperor from 306 to
337AD. Saint Peter is another example of an early Christian leader and is said to be one of the
Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Saint Peter is also claimed to be the first pope and bishop by
the Roman Catholic Church2. Also, Saint Priscilla, who was regarded as a saint along with
Aquila by the Christian church3.
For this descriptive essay I will be discussing a patron saint that I share the same name
with; that patron is Saint David of Wales. Firstly, who is Saint David? Saint David was born to
the Welsh royalty towards the end of the 5th century (C.542) and was son of King Sandde. Saint
David was a bishop of Menevia, which is the Roman port Menapia in Pembrokeshire. The day of
March 1st is celebrated as St. David’s day, and on this day a leek is worn in memory of the battle
between the Welsh and the Saxons. During this battle in a field of leeks, St. David suggested the
Welsh to wear leeks in their hats to distinguish them from the enemy, resulting in the Welsh
1
Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. 20 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989. Also available at http://www.oed.com/
Johann Peter Kirsch. “Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles”. Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. Saints.SQPN.com. 17 June 2013.
Web. 11 November 2013. http://saints.sqpn.com/catholic-encyclopedia-saint-peter-prince-of-the-apostles/
2
3
Kirsch, Johann Peter. "St. Prisca." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 11 Nov.
2013 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12428c.htm>.
being victorious4. Saint David of Wales is also known as David the Briton, Degui, Dewi, Dewid,
and Dewi Sant; meaning “beloved one”. Also, Saint David was canonized and declared as a saint
by Pope Callistus II during 11205. There have been many miracles that have been attributed to
St. David and the most incredible miracle noted is when he caused the ground beneath him to
rise up when he was preaching, making everyone around him able to see him and hear him
speak.
Throughout various works of art, it is common for Saint David to be displayed as
preaching on a hill, or standing on a mound, preaching the word of god. The chosen work of art
is a photo of a stained glass painting involving Saint David and a white dove. From the attached
photo, it is clear to see that Saint David is standing on a grassy ground and is pointing to the sky,
as if he is speaking or praying to god. In his opposite hand he appears to be holding the book of
the bible, and may be using the book to connect with god and communicate through prayer. This
may also be a representation of Saint David preaching to other individuals as he looks and points
toward the sky, gesturing to god. On the left shoulder of Saint David perches a dove, which is a
symbol of the Holy Spirit, and a representation of peace6. Saint David appears to be wearing a
hat-like object that may have been required for the Bishop to wear during the time of preach or
prayer. The headpiece worn by Saint David symbolizes an ordained minister who represents the
respected church, and it also symbolizes an individual who governs Catholics. From the piece of
art it is clear to see that Saint David is a bearded man, and the facial expression of Saint David
addresses the visual concept that he is deep in concentration and may be connecting with god.
4
Toke, L. (1908). St. David. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved November 9, 2013
from New Advent:http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04640b.htm
Saint David of Wales“. Saints.SQPN.com. 14 August 2013. Web. 9 November 2013. http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-david-ofwales/
5
6
“Dove“. Emblems of the Faith. Saints.SQPN.com. 14 August 2013. Web. 11 November 2013. <http://saints.sqpn.com/dove/>
Saint David’s eyes seem to be gazing into the sky, as if he is listening or obeying someone of
higher power. Also, there appears to be a glow shining from Saint David’s face, possibly
symbolizing that the light of god is present and is blessing Saint David.
From the stained glass image it is visible to see Saint David wearing a red coloured
garment that fastens around the neck, containing a very exquisite design around its edge. This
garment is known as a Ferraiolo, and is worn in time of worship with the Roman Catholics. The
body of Saint David is covered in an ankle-length tunic or robe, known as a cassock, covering
his legs and feet. Also, in the arms of Saint David is a pastoral staff known as a crosier, which
symbolizes authority. All of the items and articles of clothing that Saint David possesses are
representations of a Bishop of the Roman Catholic, and is still commonly worn.
In summation, on the first day of March individuals celebrate the patron Saint, Saint
David who died on that exact day in 589AD. On that day the Welsh people celebrate and wear
national emblems and leeks in memory of Saint David. The Welsh also wave the flag of Saint
David in his celebration; which is a yellow cross with a black background. When Saint David
passed he was buried at the St. David’s Cathedral and St. David’s, Pembrokeshire7. St. David’s
Cathedral still stands at Pembrokeshire, Wales, and is a monument that has become a modern
tourist attraction.
7 Leslie Toke. “Saint David”. Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. Saints.SQPN.com. 30 July 2013. Web. 12 November 2013.
<http://saints.sqpn.com/catholic-encyclopedia-saint-david/>
Bibliography
“Dove”. Emblems of the Faith. Saints.SQPN.com. 14 August 2013. Web.11 November 2013.
http://saints.sqpn.com/dove/
Johann Peter Kirsch. “Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles”. Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913.
Saints.SQPN.com. 17 June 2013. Web. 11 November 2013.
http://saints.sqpn.com/catholic-encyclopedia-saint-peter-prince-of-the-apostles/
Kirsch, Johann Peter. "St. Prisca." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York: Robert
Appleton Company, 1911. 11 Nov. 2013
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12428c.htm>
Leslie Toke. “Saint David”. Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. Saints.SQPN.com. 30 July 2013. Web.
12 November 2013. http://saints.sqpn.com/catholic-encyclopedia-saint-david/
Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. 20 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989. Also
available at http://www.oed.com/
“Saint David of Wales“. Saints.SQPN.com. 14 August 2013. Web. 9 November 2013.
http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-david-of-wales/
Toke, Leslie. "St. David." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton
Company, 1908. 9 Nov. 2013<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04640b.htm>