# St Benedict Recognizes the Sword Bearer Riggo Disguised as King Totila

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/st-benedict-recognizes-the-sword-bearer-riggo-disguised-as-king-totila-r78b83266c6622a>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [SPINELLO ARETINO](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261>)
- Date: 1351-1400
- Technique: Fresco

## Commentary

Scene 14 on the east wall shows when St Benedict recognizes the sword bearer Riggo disguised as King Totila. Totila, king of the Goths, announces his visit to the monastery. He does not, however, enter himself but rather sends his sword bearer, Riggo, disguised as the king and accompanied by a royal retinue, in order to test whether Benedict actually possesses the gift of prophesy, as had been reported. The saint immediately sees through this attempted deception.

## Related artworks

- [Adoration of the Magi](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/adoration-of-the-magi-r061da3b9967d69>)
- [Christ Blessing](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/christ-blessing-r1f5798588c1420>)
- [Coronation of the Virgin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/coronation-of-the-virgin-r9b06b79caccb98>)
- [Fall of Lucifer \(fragment\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/fall-of-lucifer-fragment-rb4e6fdd49ad459>)
- [Feast of Herod](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/feast-of-herod-r4cdc49bdaea363>)
- [Four Evangelists with their Symbols \(vault fresco\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/four-evangelists-with-their-symbols-vault-fresco-rc3a2d9392a6adf>)
- [Fragment from the Manetti Chapel \(1\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/fragment-from-the-manetti-chapel-1-rbf284ec99aed83>)
- [Fragment from the Manetti Chapel \(10\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/fragment-from-the-manetti-chapel-10-r379e0d9ec695f6>)
- [Fragment from the Manetti Chapel \(11\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/fragment-from-the-manetti-chapel-11-r69e72d549c2526>)
- [Fragment from the Manetti Chapel \(12\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/fragment-from-the-manetti-chapel-12-rf96e9eb068dc13>)
- [Fragment from the Manetti Chapel \(2\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/fragment-from-the-manetti-chapel-2-rf0d4df43b0e237>)
- [Fragment from the Manetti Chapel \(3\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/spinello-aretino-rc7ff097ca5e261/fragment-from-the-manetti-chapel-3-rabbdd538b0a7b5>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)