Luigi Garzi (1638-1721)
St. Barbara and the Risen Christ

17th century
Oil
Church of Santa Barbara dei Librari

St. Barbara's status as a martyr is the chief theme of this painting, in which Christ welcomes her into Heaven and putti bring her the palm branch and garland that symbolize her martyrdom.

Perhaps to avoid distractions from his theme, Garzi dispenses with the tower and cannon that are Barbara's usual attributes and even darkens her traditionally blond hair to what today is called light ash brown.

Read more about images of St. Barbara.

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