Who painted Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column?

Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1498.

Where can I see Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column?

Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column?

Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column?

Museum-quality prints of Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column

Albrecht Dürer , 1498

Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1498 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in plate, lower left, on sheet: AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 60; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: C.11352; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: B56 [underlined]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: gi [?]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: MA [underlined] / MJ [?]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: 31 [upside down]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: YD [?]; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: B56
Markings: Marked:FB 1602 (Lugt 365), verso, in graphite

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s engraving of Saint Sebastian, dated around 1498, presents the martyr tied to a stone column. The composition places the saint amid a small crowd of onlookers, with architectural elements receding in the background. Executed on laid paper, the work exemplifies the Northern Renaissance’s interest in precise line work and narrative detail.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the Christian martyr Saint Sebastian at the moment of his intended execution, his body restrained by ropes while arrows are poised to strike. The surrounding figures, likely witnesses or attendants, frame the central figure, emphasizing his vulnerability and the spiritual calm that Dürer imparts despite the violent theme.

Technique & Style

Dürer employs an intricate network of fine lines, using cross‑hatching to model form and suggest texture on the skin, clothing, and stone. This dense linear approach creates subtle gradations of tone, lending the scene a measured serenity that contrasts with the underlying narrative of suffering.

History & Provenance

Created near the end of the 15th century, the engraving was part of Dürer’s early print output, which helped disseminate his designs across Europe. Original impressions survive in several major collections, attesting to the work’s circulation among collectors of Northern Renaissance prints.