and the Tyrol, though its connection with Lucca had been forgotten. The long robe worn by the statue appeared to signify that the figure was of a woman. To account for the beard, a legend developed of a young noblewoman who miraculously grew a beard in order to maintain her virginity. Her father, often said to be the king of Portugal, promised her in marriage to another pagan king. Wilgefortis, who had taken a vow of perpetual virginity, prayed to be made repulsive to her future husband. As a result, she grew a long, flowing beard. In a rage, her father had her crucified. Wilgefortis became a popular figure in folk Catholicism. As a result, she assumed various local names including Kümmernis in Germany or Sainte Débarras in France, and was duly entered in the Martyrologium Romanum in 1583, retaining a devoted following as late as the nineteenth century. See also Holy Face of Jesus List of statues of Jesus Notes References Baracchini, C. and A. Caleca, Il Duomo di Lucca, Lucca 1973, pp 14–15. Friesen Ilse E., The Female Crucifix: Images of St. Wilgefortis Since the Middle Ages. (Waterloo, Ontario:Laurier University Press) 2001 Guerra, Giulio Dante, "La 'leggenda' del Volto Santo di Lucca, Cristianità 10August–September 1982, pp 88-89. Pertusi, A, and F. Pertusi Pucci, "Il Crocifisso ligneo del Monastero di S. Croce e Nicodemo di Bocca di Magra" Rivista dell'Istituto Nazionale d'Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte (1979), pp 3–51. Schnürer, Gustav and Joseph M. Ritz, St. Kümmernis und Volto Santo'', Düsseldorf 1934. External links Il Volto Santo: leggenda, opera, analisi iconologica, tradizioni (Italian) Religious traditions in Tuscany: Volto Santo Volto Santo (Holy Face) Illus. with summary of the legends (English). 8th-century sculptures Medieval European sculptures Lucca Crucifixes Relics associated with Jesus Nicodemus Wooden sculptures in Italy