Historical analysis of Zurbarán's Saint Apollonia.

Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1644), the Spanish Baroque painter of dramatic religious scenes and powerful portraits, painted a number of female saints, including Apollonia. His full-length portrait of Saint Apollonia, patron saint of those suffering from dental ailments, is in the collection of the Louvre Museum, and reflects the Counter-Reformation ideals of 17th-century Seville.