Lucas Cranach d. Ä. - St Catherine of Alexandria and St Barbara - WGA05668

left and right wings of an altar

Public domain photograph of 16th-century painting, renaissance or mannerist, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

St. Catherine of Alexandria was a 4th-century Christian martyr and saint. According to tradition, she was a learned and beautiful woman who converted to Christianity and became a noted defender of the faith. She was imprisoned and subjected to various tortures, including being broken on a wheel, but survived. She is said to have converted the emperor Maxentius to Christianity before her ultimate execution. St. Catherine is the patron saint of philosophers, students, and preachers and is venerated by the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Coptic Churches.