Spanish school of the 17th century. "Saint Barbara". Oil on canvas. The canvas has faults and is detached from the stretcher. Measurements: 61 x 50 cm. Painting on canvas representing Saint Barbara, accompanied by her main iconographic symbol, the tower. Compiled late in the 10th century and popularised in the West in the 13th century by the Golden Legend, the legend of Saint Barbara narrates that she was the daughter of the satrap Dióscuro who, in order to keep her away from Christian proselytism, locked her in an open tower with only two windows, piercing a third one herself in allusion to the Holy Trinity. However, Barbara was taught by a priest who pretended to be a doctor, and to express her faith in the Trinity she pierced a third window in the wall. She managed to flee but was captured by her father, and when she refused to abjure Christianity and marry a pagan she was handed over to the judge Marcian, who tortured her in various ways. She was stretched on a rack and flogged, torn with iron combs, rolled on pottery shards and burned with red-hot irons, and finally the executioners tore out her breasts with pincers. Finally, her father beheaded her. Saint Barbara s patron saints are widespread; she was considered to be a protector against lightning because her father, after killing her, was struck by lightning. Her name was also often inscribed on church bells, which were rung during storms. Her attributes are the palm of martyrdom and the crown, due to her royal origin, and the tower with three windows (four here, as another one is added on the lower floor).