Saint Ambrose

Giovanni di Paolo, Saint Ambrose, 1465-1470, tempera on wood with gold ground, 60.6 x 36.8 cm, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Ambrose was born into a noble familiy in Trier, and studied law in Rome.  While serving as governor in Milan, the nomination of a new bishop caused trouble between the Catholics and Arians, and Ambrose intervened and was elected bishop himself.  He was noted for his church reforms and opposition of the Arian heresy.

Depictions of Ambrose vary and he has a varity of attributes, including a horse, dove, ox, child, and pen.  He often also carries a crosier, the staf of a bishop.  Some depictions also include bees or a beehive, which signifies the sweetness of his eloquence.