St. Wilgefortis

This 16th century polychromed wood sculpture is a rare image of the mythical St. Wilgefortis. According to folk tales, the father of a teenager named Wilgefortis promised her in marriage to a foreign king. To thwart the unwanted wedding, she took a vow of virginity and prayed to be made repulsive. She sprouted a full beard which ended the engagement. The father was so angry he had her crucified. In a nice dress. And wearing a crown, for some reason.

Photo by Charles Reeza at the church of Saint-Étienne in Beauvais, France