In this image Bridget is burning her forearm with a melted wax of a candle. At her feet, and in front of the mensa of the altar a whip and scrolls of chain with thorn ends lie. The Saint looks at the crucifix on the altar. The painting on the top of it is filled with angels holding wreaths, a bouquet of white and red roses and a palm of martyrdom. The stage is signed: IGNE ALIISQVE INSTRVMENTIS CORPVS CASTIGAT (With fire and other methods she is tormenting the body).
Every Friday, in commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ, she fasted on bread and water. Having waxed the candle, she burned the waxed drops on her naked body, so that she always had painful burns, and she had a fever as a result. In the mouth she usually kept very bitter herb. Bridget, when she conducted actively in various spheres of political and court life also devoted herself to very strict ascetic practices, especially fast. She fasted almost half a year.
In the picture she was shown looking at Crucified Christ. It demonstrates that she did these practices in order to have her share in the sufferings of Jesus. In this image the Saint is shown only by herself, without the association of another nun. The point is to make this kind of penance in thesilence of heart, without spreading all about your suffering, without ostentation.
The painting expresses the idea that Bridget was a martyr – was pouring blood on faith, what found its artistic expression in the symbol of pink roses being carried by angels.