Artwork
Hl. Sebastian
Hl. Sebastian is an unspecified painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Francesco Trevisani. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the early Christian martyr Saint Sebastian, shown at the moment of his execution by arrows.
The painting depicts the early Christian martyr Saint Sebastian, shown at the moment of his execution by arrows. Trevisani’s composition emphasizes the saint’s serene endurance and the physical violence of the martyrdom, aligning with Counter-Reformation devotional images that invited contemplation of suffering and faith. The presence of the bow and arrows, the saint’s partially clothed body bound to a classical column, and the arrow wounds in his torso and limbs are traditional attributes that identify the subject without ambiguity.
These elements reference the legend of Sebastian’s survival after being shot with arrows, later clubbed to death, and thus carry meanings of fortitude under persecution and ultimate divine vindication.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, measuring 100 cm by 65 cm. Trevisani’s handling renders the saint’s flesh with a delicate chiaroscuro that emphasizes the tension of the martyrdom scene, while the surrounding drapery is modeled in soft, blended brushstrokes typical of early 18th‑century Venetian-influenced religious art. The composition balances dynamic diagonal movement with a composed central figure, creating a formal balance that underscores both the physical vulnerability and spiritual fortitude of Saint Sebastian.
History & Provenance
The work was painted by Francesco Trevisani in 1701, as indicated by the artist’s date and the object’s entry in the Bavarian State Painting Collections (BStGS 1110).
The painting entered the collection now known as the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where it remains housed at the Alte Pinakothek. Its dimensions are recorded as 100 cm in height and 65 cm in width.
The painting Hl. Sebastian by Francesco Trevisani is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. It is currently located at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Within the museum's cataloging system, the work is identified by the inventory number BStGS 1110. The sources provided do not contain specific information regarding the exhibition history of this artwork.
Overview
Francesco Trevisani’s 1701 canvas titled Hl. Sebastian belongs to the late Baroque period, edging toward early Rococo. Executed in Italy, the painting presents the martyr Saint Sebastian in a dramatic pose, his torso illuminated against a nearly black backdrop. The work is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection, reflecting Trevisani’s engagement with the High Baroque aesthetic.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Trevisani (April 9, 1656 – July 30, 1746) was an Italian painter, active in the period called either early Rococo or late Baroque (barochetto).
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