Algeria: St. Jerome (left), St. Augustine (right), and four meditating Augustinian canons pray over an open grave—an oil painting by an unknown artist, c.1500.

Known originally as the ‘Spes Nostra’, meaning ‘Our Hope’, this painting depicts St. Augustine (354—430 CE), the Bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba, Algeria), a philosopher and theologian who converted to Christianity and was influential for spreading the word of Christ in North Africa.

Venerated in Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches, Augustine is patron of the Augustinian order, and is considered patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, sore eyes, and a number of cities and dioceses.

In the center of the painting, sitting on the monastery’s courtyard wall, is the Virgin Mary. Elizabeth places a hand on Mary's belly to indicate that she is pregnant. Behind Mary, in the background, a young Jesus rides a hobby horse.

In front of the grave, an epitaph reads: 'If anyone passes here, let them see this and weep. I am where you will be; what you are I once was. I beg you: pray for me'.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History