# Martyrdom of St Barbara

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/martyrdom-of-st-barbara-re4a74a79f76843>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [MASTER M Z](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca>)
- Date: 1501-1550
- Technique: Coppe-plate engraving, 152 x 124 mm

## Commentary

St Barbara is a probably mythical saint who is mentioned in the Golden Legend, a medieval collection of saints&#39; lives, and became a popular cult figure in the Middle Ages. Her father shut her up in a tower so that no man should see her, hence the attribute of a tower. The chalice she holds, a second attribute, is the symbol of her Christian faith, which Barbara maintained despite her father&#39;s furious opposition.

## Related artworks

- [Embrace](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/embrace-r5026218fed55ec>)
- [Fortune](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/fortune-r5d9531bcc008cc>)
- [Martyrdom of St Catherine of Alexandria](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/martyrdom-of-st-catherine-of-alexandria-ra4e922555e9e9e>)
- [The Beheading of St John the Baptist](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/the-beheading-of-st-john-the-baptist-r812c973d12953a>)
- [Tournament](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/tournament-r9fdc905dd1f216>)
- [Vanitas \(Memento Mori\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/vanitas-memento-mori-r7fba1611256e01>)
- [Woman Kneeling and Leaning Forward](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-m-z-r93a57bff81ccca/woman-kneeling-and-leaning-forward-r942f4a91bfdea5>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)