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The Ordeal by Arrows (Saint Sebastian)

Jacques Callot

1632

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Ordeal by Arrows (Saint Sebastian) is a 1632 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1632 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a scene of Saint Sebastian tied to a tree, pierced by arrows. He is surrounded by a group of men, some of whom are shooting arrows at him. The scene is set in a landscape with trees and a distant cityscape. In the foreground, a man is shown holding a bow and arrow, while another man is seen shooting an arrow at Saint Sebastian. The saint himself appears to be in a state of suffering, with his body contorted in pain. The use of etching and engraving techniques creates a detailed and intricate image, with fine lines and textures that add depth and realism to the scene. For more on etching, see the technique etching.