The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print shows a chaotic scene of a half-naked man tied to a post while arrows fly toward him. Around him, other figures—some screaming, some watching—fill the space. The man’s face is twisted in pain, and his body is twisted unnaturally. Above, a dramatic, swirling group of angels or spirits hovers, as if witnessing the moment. The man holds a sign with his name: *Sebastianus Christianus*. The print’s edges are packed with tiny figures, all caught in the moment’s chaos. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this extreme light-and-shadow effect works.
