Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. Line engraving after J. Pavia.

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino is usually depicted as an Augustinian monk, as he was a preacher of that order. He was born near Ancona in the Marches. He ate no meat. According to one of his legends, while ill he received bread from the hands of the Virgin; in turn, he cured others with bread blessed by him. He has been invoked against plague and fevers. The "bread of St. Nicholas", dipped in water and swallowed, has been believed to cure the sick and help women in labour