ANTONINE PIEROZZI, SAINT

(1389-1459)

Dominicanmonk, appointed archbishop ofFlorenceby Pope Eugenius IV in 1446, canonized in 1523. St. Antonine was responsible for convincingCosimo de' Medicito expel the Sylvestrine monks from theSan Marco Monastery, Florence, and to turn it over to the Dominicans. St. Antonine was appointed the prior of San Marco and, aside from effecting religious reforms while occupying that position, he also acted as patron toFra Angelico. Part III of hisSumma Theologicaincludes advice to painters on the depiction of religious scenes. Elements that provoke sexual desire, vanity, or laughter, he wrote, should be eliminated from these types of works, as should anyapocryphaldetails, such as midwives in theNativity. Instead, artists should follow the scriptures. These prescriptions influenced the development of art in Florence and reflect St. Antonine's ascetic monasticism.