Martyrdom of Saint Justina 1575

Paolo Veronese painted "Martyrdom of Saint Justina" using oil on canvas. He was working during the height of the Venetian Renaissance. The painting depicts the execution of Saint Justina of Padua, martyred for her Christian faith. Veronese was celebrated for his dynamic compositions and rich colors, often employed to portray scenes of religious significance. However, it is impossible to ignore how the sensuality of the scene undercuts the implied moral message of the painting. The saint has been stripped of most of her clothing as she is about to be executed. The painting reflects a societal tension that existed in Venice during the Renaissance. It shows the role of women in society and the power dynamics at play during this time, as well as the ever present conflict between faith and religious piety with secular power. The presence of both suffering and the male gaze asks the viewer to question the cost of devotion.