St. Petronius

Michelangelo carved this marble statue of St. Petronius, the patron saint of Bologna, around 1494-95 during his early career. The saint holds a model of the city he protects, a traditional attribute in his iconography. Though small in scale, the figure shows Michelangelo's emerging mastery of anatomy and drapery.

This sculpture is part of a group Michelangelo created for the Arca di San Domenico in Bologna. The young artist was only nineteen, yet already displayed the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty and naturalism. Still in its original location at the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna.