Saint Zlata

This is my entry into contest "Beauty" - [link]

Zlata (from the Bulgarian word "zlato" meaning - gold) was a simple girl living in small Bulgarian village in 18 century. Her beauty was extraordinary. At the time Bulgaria was under Ottoman occupation (which lasted 500 years). One of the Turkish leaders of the village wanted Zlata for his wife. That meant she had to give her faith, she was of very strong character and refused to do it. Her own family begged her, for her own sake to marry him. When the oppressors found themselves helpless, they tortured and at the end hanged Zlata. She died for her strong believes and thus was later proclaimed a saint.

This piece is a traditional icon, painted with tempera on wood, decorated with golden leaf.