Saint Scholastica (480–543 AD) is the twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia, founder of Benedictine monastic life for women. She is venerated as the patroness of Benedictine nuns, enclosed nuns, schoolgirls, and students, as well as a protector against storms and floods. Her feast day is celebrated on February 10. According to tradition, at the moment of her death, a white dove flew out of her cell and ascended to heaven—a symbol of the pure soul reaching God.
The Sculpture
This statue depicts Saint Scholastica in a moment of serene contemplation, draped in a monastic habit of dark hues—deep brown and a black veil—which contrast with the white sash at her waist, a symbol of purity. Her face, with gently downcast eyes, conveys humility and inner reflection.
The saint holds an open book in one hand—emblem of the Benedictine Rule and contemplative life—along with a bunch of grapes, a symbol of spiritual abundance, the evangelical vine, and the fruit of monastic life lived in fullness. Every fold of the drapery, every detail of the grape cluster, and her bare feet on the base are the result of meticulous craftsmanship.
Materials and Craftsmanship
- Maple wood for sizes up to 56 cm – fine and compact grain, ideal for minute details
- Lime wood for larger sizes – stable and majestic even in the most imposing dimensions
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Hand-painted by Dolfi artisans in Val Gardena, according to centuries-old sculptural tradition
