Artwork
The Martyrdom of Saint Justina
The Martyrdom of Saint Justina is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Paolo Veronese. It dates from 1555 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
The Martyrdom of Saint Justina is an oil-on-canvas painting created by Paolo Veronese, assisted by his younger brother, between 1570 and 1575.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the martyrdom of Justina of Padua, showing the saint in a dramatic scene surrounded by men, some armed, with her arms outstretched and head tilted back, conveying a sense of distress.
Technique & Style
The work features a dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristic of the chiaroscuro technique, and a vivid color palette, with the saint's white and red robe standing out against a blue sky with white clouds.
History & Provenance
Originally produced for Santa Giustina Basilica in Padua, the painting was later acquired by Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici in 1654 and brought to Florence, where it is now held in the Uffizi.
Context
The painting was previously recorded in the Canonici collection in Ferrara in 1632 and passed through the collection of Paolo del Sera, an agent for Cardinal de' Medici in Venice, before being acquired by the cardinal.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paolo Caliari (1528 – 19 April 1588), known as Paolo Veronese ( VERR-ə-NAY-zay, -zee, US also -see; Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter based in Venice, known for extremely large history paintings of…
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