Brussels-madonna-virgin-saints-garden-1418-1460

The Brussels Madonna, showing the Virgin and Christ child with the four virgin-martyr saints in an enclosed garden. This was once thought to be the earliest dated woodcut print, which is held in the Bibliothèque Royale de Belgique. The date has been questioned, and the print is thought to be from around 1460. The cult of the Quatuor Virgines Capitales was popular in the 15th century, and depictions were common. Clockwise from top-left: Catherine of Alexandria, with the executioner's sword and fragment of the torture wheel; Virgin Mary with Christ child; Barbara with three-windowed tower; Margaret of Antioch, with her crucifix and slain dragon; and Dorothea, with her crown of roses, roses in hand, and basket of roses.

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.