Attributed to FRANCISCO MENESES OSORIO (Seville, c. 1640 - 1721)."Saint Barbara".Oil on canvas. Antique re-colouring.It presents faults and repainting on the pictorial surface.Measurements: 104 x 71,5 cm.Kneeling with the right hand on her chest and holding the palm of martyrdom, Saint Barbara looks at the angels who hold a monstrance between their hands. The scene is notable for a delicate brushstroke that opens up in the conception of the landscape, the perimeter of which is left open, the vegetation merging with the sky. Osorio was born in Seville and is thought to have died there. Very little is known about his life. He was a pupil and imitator of Murillo, and it has been suggested that some of the works attributed to the latter were painted by Osorio. We know that Murillo considered him his friend; that he was a close acquaintance of Juan Garzón, with whom he worked; that he was at one time secretary and then president of the Seville Academy; and that while in that city he had a high reputation. This reputation is said to have been discarded after his death because it was considered that some of his copies of Murillo's works were so accurate that he should have signed the master's name. In fact, it was suggested that two of his copies had been accepted as genuine works by Murillo. On the other hand, these statements are stated by a Spanish author to have been made solely for the purpose of discrediting Osorio. It is said that he and Murillo worked together in the Capuchin church in Cadiz. His main work was painted for the church of San Martín in Madrid, and depicts the prophet Elijah. There are pictures of him in the museums of Cadiz and Seville, the latter related to the Order of St. Francis. A work depicting Saint Catherine, which is preserved in Cadiz, is said to have had a special devotion to Saint Philip Neri and was buried in the church dedicated to that saint.