Saint Barbara (panel one), Saint Dorothy (panel two), Saint Catherine (panel three), and Saint Margaret (panel four) (predella of an altarpiece)
1505
tempera
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1505
tempera
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting is a four-panel predella, each depicting a saint. The first panel shows Saint Barbara, the second Saint Dorothy, the third Saint Catherine, and the fourth Saint Margaret. Each saint is dressed in long robes, with a halo above their head. The saints are shown in a formal, static pose, with their hands clasped in prayer. The background of each panel is a solid color, with intricate gold designs above each saint's head. The painting is done in tempera, a technique that was commonly used during the Renaissance period. The level of detail and the use of gold leaf suggest that the painting was intended for a religious setting.
