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Saint Barbara

Saint Barbara is the patron saint of architects.

Barbara’s father built a tower and kept her imprisoned in it. She became a Christian and spent her time in prayer and contemplation. To honour the Holy Trinity, she had three windows inserted into a building her father was constructing. Her father denounced her as a Christian to the authorities and Barbara was tortured and beheaded.

Detail from Hans Memling, The Donne Triptych, about 1478 

Saint Barbara's story is told in The Golden Legend.

 

The Donne Triptych
from The Donne Triptych
Hans Memling
about 1478
Painting
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Explore more images of Saint Barbara in the collection

The Virgin and Child with Saints Catherine and Barbara
The Virgin and Child with Saints Catherine and Barbara
Quinten Massys
The Virgin Mary is seated on a marble and porphyry throne within a church; an opening on the left leads to a landscape. The infant Christ squats on her lap, and two saints kneel on either side: Catherine of Alexandria on the left and Barbara on the right.The naked child, wrapped in a white cloth,...
Not on display
The Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor
The Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor
Gerard David
The Virgin and Child are enthroned in a walled garden with three saints. Saint Mary Magdalene holds her pot of oil, while the richly dressed Saint Barbara has a tower – her attribute, or emblem – in her headdress. The wheel on which Saint Catherine was tortured is visible behind her, and Christ p...
Not on display