Saint Barbara, ca. 1580-1585
Attributed to Germain Pilon
French, 1537-1590
White marble
“Saint Barbara was a virgin martyr whose father sequestered her in a tower to discourage suitors. Here she is shown next to the tower, holding the hilt of a sword, the instrument of her martyrdom. The missing blade was probably made of silver. Pilon, the sculptor, is linked to the so-called School of Fontainebleau, named after the palace of Fontainebleau, a royal residence decorated by Italian artists who brought to France the elegance and refinement of Italian Mannerism. Something of this is apparent in the graceful turn of Saint Barbara’s pose. The back is flat, indicating she was meant to be seen only from the front and placed against a wall or pillar or in a niche.” 🥀
