# Monument of Pope Benedict XI [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [UNKNOWN MASTER, Italian]() - Date: 1301-1350 - Technique: Marble ## Commentary The Dominican Pope Benedict XI, who died in Perugia in July 1304, was buried in San Domenico Vecchio, in the pavement of the choir of the church. The decision to erect a monument was taken some time after his death, when miracles were reported at his grave. The precise time at which the monument was built is a matter of dispute, however, a number of scholars accept a date before c. 1315. It is assumed that the sculptor was a follower of Arnolfo di Cambio. The monument was originally on the right wall of San Domenico Vecchio, where it was approached by three steps of red marble, protected by a metal grill and surmounted by a cross of gold. It was moved to the left transept of San Domenico in the 18th century, finally it was restored and re-assembled in its current location \(on the right wall of the Cappella degli Apostoli\) in 1959. Benedict XI is depicted twice on his monument: \(1\) He kneels in the tripartite upper tabernacle as St Dominic presents him to the Madonna and Child, while a bishop saint looks on from the right. \(2\) He lies in effigy on the sarcophagus, behind curtains drawn apart by angels, under a frieze that depicts six saints in relief \(four above and one at each side\) including Sts Peter, Paul and Peter Martyr. The relief at the cusp of the surrounding tabernacle depicts Christ imparting His blessing. ## Related artworks - [A Bishop Saint]() - [A Curious Scene]() - [Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel]() - [Adoration of St Mark]() - [Allegorical Portrait of Dante]() - [Altar frontal]() - [Altarpiece \(detail\)]() - [Altarpiece of St Clare \(detail\)]() - [Altarpiece of St Clare \(detail\)]() - [Altarpiece of St Clare]() - [Altarpiece of the Magi]() - [Altarpiece]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()