The Virgin and Child with Four Holy Virgins
Master of the Virgo inter Virgines
c. 1495 - c. 1500
This painting is an ode to chastity. The Virgin sits in an enclosed garden, a symbol of virginity, surrounded by four other virgins (‘virgo inter virgines’). From attributes on their necklaces, they are identifiable as Saint Catherine with a wheel and sword, Saint Cecilia with an organ, Saint Barbara with a tower and Saint Ursula with a heart and arrow.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · Image: Rijksmuseum, Public domain · Text: Rijksmuseum, CC0