Saint Barbara

Saint Barbara (d235) of Nicomedia, Turkey, spent her youth on her own in a tower, especially built for her by her father to protect her from the world. She converted to Christianity, against the will of her fanatical heathen father and rejected an offer of marriage that she received through him. After attempts to un-convert proved unsuccessful, Barbara’s father struck off her head. 

When he had beheaded her, the father was struck by lightning on his way home and his body was consumed. Because of that event, St. Barbara has been associated with lightning and is prayed to during storms.

The beheading of St. Barbara" by Giulio Quaglio the Younger (1721 - 1723)

For the same reason Barbara is the patron saint of artillery, and her image was at one time frequently placed on arsenals and powder magazines; the powder storage room of a French warship is still called Sainte-Barbe. 

Palma Vecchio's Polyptych of Saint Barbara is a Renaissance painting that depicts Saint Barbara. The painting is known for its expressive depiction of the saint, which has been described as conveying both noble serenity and feminine grace.

The depiction of Saint Barbara in Polyptych of Saint Barbara is significant because she was a highly venerated saint during the Renaissance period, and her image was often used to symbolize Christian virtues such as chastity and faith. In Palma Vecchio's painting, Saint Barbara is shown with a serene expression, her eyes cast downward in prayer, and her hands clasped in front of her. Her long, flowing hair and delicate features are suggestive of her femininity, which is emphasized by the soft, warm colors of her clothing and the gentle curve of her neck.

Despite her feminine qualities, however, Saint Barbara is also depicted by Vecchio as a strong and resolute figure, a characteristic that was highly valued in Renaissance art. Her pose is erect and dignified, and her expression is one of peaceful resolve. This combination of feminine grace and inner strength makes her an inspiring figure for both men and women, and it is one of the reasons why her image has endured in Western art for centuries.

The Polyptych of Saint Barbara

Her feast day for Roman Catholics and Anglicans is December 4. 

Source Funk & Wagnall's Encyclopedia