Spanish school of the XVII century.
"Santa Margarita".
Oil on canvas.
With bands.
Presents restorations.
Measurements: 99 x 81 cm.

Saint Margaret of Antioch (born in Pisidia, Antioch, ¿ - 304) was a Christian martyr who is part of the Holy Helpers. She died during the persecution of Diocletian. She converted to Christianity at a young age, her father disowned her, so she had to work as a shepherdess. She refused the affections of the prefect, also refusing to convert to paganism, which earned her imprisonment. Imprisoned, she expelled a demon from her throat (or a demon appeared to her in the form of a dragon that devoured her, leaving her body by tearing her skin with a crucifix), and she was then subjected to torture, which she survived. She died, finally, decapitated. Model of the consecrated virgins, she is considered as a help in cases of childbirth, and is usually shown with that dragon, tied either at her feet or tearing it with the crucifix, or guarding her flock with a cross and a rosary. On this occasion the saint is presented with the palm of martyrdom and the crucifix she used to tear the dragon as her attributes. She is crowned by two small cherubs and from her mouth exhales the dove of the Holy Spirit.