Jacopo Palma il Vecchio
Saint Barbara

Circa 1523
Central image in the St. Barbara Altar
Church of Santa Maria Formosa, Venice

St. Barbara is the patron saint of artillerymen, hence the canons at her feet. In the background is the tower that serves as her attribute. The palm branch signifies martyrdom. This saint is not usually shown with a crown, but there is a tendency in paintings of this period to put crowns on virgin martyrs.

View of the entire altar
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Photographed at the church by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.