Master of the Virgo inter Virgines: Mary with Jesus and 4 holy virgins (1495 - 1500)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

This type of painting is called a 'Virgo inter Virgines' or 'the virgin among the virgins'. In this case Mary with the child Jesus is sitting in a courtyard (of a monastry?) and is surrounded by 4 female virgin saints (each saint can be recognized by her necklace which is in the shape of her attribute). Present on the painting are (from left to right):

- two men, probably the apostles John and James
- Saint Catherine of Alexandria (with breaking wheel and sword)
- Saint Cecilia (with organ)
- Mary with child Jesus
- Saint Barbara (with a tower)
- Saint Ursula (with heart and arrow)
- two women, probably the saints Mary Magdalene and Margaret the Virgin of Antioch

The entire scene is an ode to chastity. Painting from 1495-1500.