17th-century, the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian

17th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A large evocative 17th-century oil on canvas depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. Sebastian was a powerful force during the third century and responsible for converting many soldiers to Christianity.

In the year 288, he was martyred for his faith under the instruction of Emperor Diocletian.

“St. Sebastian, having sent so many martyrs to heaven before him, was himself impeached before the Emperor Diocletian (284-305), who… delivered him over to certain archers of Mauritania, to be shot to death. His body was covered with arrows and left for dead.”

However, following this brutal attack, he was discovered alive by Irene, the widow of Castulus, who tended to him at her lodgings. He made a full recovery during this period of convalescence and was urged to flee and escape persecution.

However, he refused to leave and instead waited in plain sight for the right time to approach the Emperor to speak out against his cruelty towards Christians.

It was at this point that Sebastian was finally martyred and his body was buried in the catacombs of Callixtus.

This particular portrayal depicts his time spent with Irene as she tended to his wounds.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Size: 35” x 29” / 89cm x 74cm

Year of creation: c. 1700

Provenance: Germany

Condition: Craquelure throughout along with minor losses but the paint layer is stable following its restoration. Canvas relined.

Physical Dimensions

Height

89cm (35.04")

Width

74cm (29.13")

Depth

2cm (0.79")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA653477

Description

A large evocative 17th-century oil on canvas depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian.

“

Sebastian was a powerful force during the third century and responsible for converting many soldiers to Christianity.

Brave Fine Art

fig 1. 17th-Century, The Martyrdom Of Saint Sebastian — fig 1. 17th-century, the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian

In the year 288, he was martyred for his faith under the instruction of Emperor Diocletian.

“St. Sebastian, having sent so many martyrs to heaven before him, was himself impeached before the Emperor Diocletian (284-305), who… delivered him over to certain archers of Mauritania, to be shot to death. His body was covered with arrows and left for dead.”

fig 2. 17th-Century, The Martyrdom Of Saint Sebastian — fig 2. 17th-century, the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian

However, following this brutal attack, he was discovered alive by Irene, the widow of Castulus, who tended to him at her lodgings. He made a full recovery during this period of convalescence and was urged to flee and escape persecution.

fig 3. 17th-Century, The Martyrdom Of Saint Sebastian — fig 3. 17th-century, the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian

However, he refused to leave and instead waited in plain sight for the right time to approach the Emperor to speak out against his cruelty towards Christians.

It was at this point that Sebastian was finally martyred and his body was buried in the catacombs of Callixtus.