Sarcophagus of Santa Giustina

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The skilled sculptor re-carved an ancient Roman sarcophagus to create this magnificent tomb. The master artist likely was Gregorio di Allegretto, who worked closely with the renowned Donatello, credited with inventing the style of shallow relief carving that adorns this work of art. The crown and halo may suggest that the figure is St Justina, one of Padua's revered patron saints. This stunning sarcophagus appears to have been crafted for the church of Santa Giustina at Padua and might be identical with a marble shrine commissioned in 1476 to house the body of the saint. However, the saint's remains were not transferred to this new sarcophagus. On its front, the saint's body is skillfully carved in relief, lying on a bier draped with a cloth, while at the ends, angels swing censers. The sarcophagus is closely related in style to the monuments of Gianantonio and Erasmo da Narni (known as Gattamelata) in the basilica of Sant'Antonio at Padua, constructed from 1457 to 1458 by Gregorio di Allegretto, possibly assisted by Giovanni (Nani) da Firenze. St Giustina was a beloved saint in the Veneto region and an early patron saint of Padua. She was believed to be the Christian daughter of King Vitaliano of Padua. When she rejected marriage to the pagan Roman Emperor Maximus in 304, she was brutally killed with a sword on Ponte Corvo. Her cult dates back to around the 4th century. The Venetians credited her with helping them secure victory in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 because their triumph occurred on her feast day (October 7). This magnificent work originates from Padua, Italy.