Saint Justina with the Unicorn, Venerated by a Patron

Moretto da Brescia's Saint Justina with the Unicorn, Venerated by a Patron depicts the virgin martyr of Padua accompanied by a unicorn — her distinctive attribute signifying both virginity and miraculous purity — while a donor figure kneels in veneration. Justina was Padua's patron saint and one of the most important female martyrs venerated in northern Italy, making her an appropriate subject for both Paduan patrons and Lombard collectors with Paduan connections. The unicorn, which according to legend could only be tamed by a virgin, was a standard attribute for this saint but also a beautiful decorative element that made the painting visually distinctive. Moretto's treatment combines precise attention to the unicorn's form with his characteristic naturalistic rendering of the saint's figure.

The saint's luminous figure is rendered with Moretto's characteristic silvery flesh tones, while the unicorn is painted with naturalistic care despite its fantastical nature.