Life of Saint Nicholas Shown in Images

The cycle of Saint Nicholas stories shown in frescos, icons and stained glass from churches in Amsterdam, Serbia, Italy, France, and the United States; medieval illuminations from Iceland and textiles from Switzerland. These images told the stories before the days of printing presses and the spread of literacy. There is also a whimsical adaptation from The Golden Legend.

Nicholas with children in tub
Sint Nicollaaskerk
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Photo: Jan Wasmus, used by permission

Italian Life of Nicholas
     late 11th century frescos from the Abbey of Novalesa in Italy

Bulgarian Saint Nicholas in Boyana Church
     Frescoes written in 1259, Boyana, Sofia, Bulgaria

Catalan Life of Saint Nicholas
     Written in 1285 - 1300, Iglesia de San Fructuoso, Nicolás y Juan el evangelista, Bierge, Huesca, Spain

Icelandic Saga of St. Nicolas 
     late 14th century illuminations from the Icelandic Helgastaðabók: Nikulás Saga

Life & Miracles of St. Nicholas
     German Altar Wings from ca. 1485

Romanian Scenes from the Life of Nicholas
     Frescos from the 15th century Voronet Monastery, Romania

French Life and Miracles of St. Nicolas 
     15th century scenes from the Basilique de Saint Nicolas, St-Nicolas-de-Port, France

German Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas 
     16th century scenes from a German altarpiece by Cranach

Serbian Scenes from the Life of Nicholas
     17th century frescos from St Nicholas Church, Patriarchate of Pec, Serbia

French Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas
     Nine scenes carved into the rood screen at Saint-Nicolas Chapel, Priziac, France

Dutch Scenes from the Life of Nicholas
     Frescos from St Nicolaaskerk, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Belgian Saint Nicolas 
     told through illustrations in a 1924 Belgian booklet

English Miracles of Saint Nicholas 
     Stained glass by Evie Hone, 1948-49

Swiss Textile Saint Nicholas
     Wall hangings from Kirche St. Nikolaus, Reinach, Switzerland

The Life of St. Nicholas Told in Icons in the USA
     from St. Nicholas Chapel, Greek Catholic Union, Beaver, Pennsylvania

Medieval Stained Glass

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas
     Medieval stained glass from Chartres Cathedral in France

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas
     Medieval stained glass from Bourges

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas 
     Medieval stained glass from Eglise Saint-Florentin, Saint-Florentin, France

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicolas
     Medieval 12th and 13th century stained glass from Chartres Cathedral in France

Three Early St. Nicholas Stories
     Medieval 13th century stained glass from St Etienne Cathedral, Auxerre, France

Miracles of Saint Nicholas
     Medieval 16th century glass illustrating miracles from The Golden Legend
     All Saints' Church, Hillesden, England

Others

The Life of St. Nicholas
     excerpts from The Golden Legend, adapted and whimsically illustrated by Jennifer Lynn Jordan

The Life of Saint Nicholas 
     told through the scenes of an Orthodox hagiographic icon

Traditional Stories & Legends

Classic Primary Sources

Modern Miracles

More Stories & Poems

Link

Santi Beati An Italian saint site with a beautiful series of Saint Nicholas images from around the world
Click thumbnail image at the lower right of each page to move through the sequence

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