The Triumph of St Thomas Aquinas

Today is the novus ordo feast day of St Thomas Aquinas, circa 1225-1274, the date of the translation of his relics, as opposed to the traditional one on his death, March 7th.

Triumph of Saint Thomas Aquinas - by Benozzo  Gozzoli

  Musée du Louvre, Paris 

The Inscription beneath the Glory containing Christ, accompanied by St Paul and Moses and with the Four Evangelists, expresses His Agreement with the Theological writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas: BENE SCPSISTI DE ME, THOMMA ("You have written well about Me, Thomas"). 

The Saint is enthroned in the centre between Aristotle and Plato. At his feet lies the Arabic scholar Averroes, whose writings he refuted and the inscriptions VERE HIC EST LUME. ECCLESIE and HIC ADINVENIT OMNEM VIA. DISCIPLINE. 

In the lower part of the picture a group of clergy, religious and academics can be seen with the Pope, who, according to Vasari, is Pope Sixtus IV(1471-84).

 Image:copiosa.org

A photograph of the painting in a larger resolution can be seen here.