ATTRIBUTED TO PIETRO DANDINI (ITALIAN 1646-1712)SAINT APOLLONIAOil on canvas69 x 54cm (27 x 21¼ in.)Provenance:Private collection, Blaisdon Hall, GloucestershireSaint Apollonia was one of a group of virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius. She is depicted with a pair of pliers, as according to church tradition, her torture included having all of her teeth violently pulled out or shattered. For this reason, she is popularly regarded as the patroness of dentistry and those suffering from toothache or other dental problems.