St. Justina
17th century or later
Franciscan Church, Vienna, Austria
The statue seems to confuse two different virgin martyrs named Justina. The photographer who posted this image, a historian, identifies it as Justina of Padua. But the demon on her left hand belongs to the story of St. Justina of Antioch, who resisted the blandishments of demons. The sword could indeed be a reference to the story of Justina of Padua, who was pierced by a sword to the breast or side, although this statue holds not the short gladius specified in the legend but the long sword typically associated with martyrs who were beheaded.
The Franciscan Church was built in 1603, so the statue is probably from that century.
Read more about images of Justina of Padua and Justina of Antioch.
Source: this page at Wikimedia Commons.
