ITALIAN SCHOOL circa 1700 Saint Blaise Canvas Monogrammed lower left G.B. / .F. 74,5 x 52 cm Saint Blaise, bishop of Sebaste (Turkey), was a thaumaturgist and healer saint of the 4th century. The instrument of his martyrdom, a carding comb with which he was lacerated, is depicted in the lower left corner of the painting. He naturally became the patron saint of wool carders.