Artwork
Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Guido Reni. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject is portrayed standing with a bare torso, his hands likely bound behind his back, and an arrow already piercing his flank.
Guido Reni's 1619 painting depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, a young Roman figure central to religious art. The subject is portrayed standing with a bare torso, his hands likely bound behind his back, and an arrow already piercing his flank. Rendered in chiaroscuro, the composition emphasizes his upward gaze toward Heaven, symbolizing spiritual endurance and divine connection amidst physical suffering.
This representation focuses on the moment of martyrdom, capturing the saint's resilience and faith. The work serves as a visual meditation on sacrifice and redemption within the Catholic tradition.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on canvas measuring 172 cm by 134.5 cm, depicting Saint Sebastian in a moment of martyrdom. Rendered in chiaroscuro, the figure stands nude from the waist up, with hands likely bound behind him, a pierced flank, and an uplifted gaze toward heaven. The composition emphasizes spiritual fortitude through dramatic lighting and anatomical precision.
The original resides in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, acquired from Spanish monarchs Ferdinand VII, Charles III, and Elisabeth Farnese; replicas exist in London, Paris, Porto Rico, and New Zealand.
History & Provenance
The work titled Saint Sebastian was painted by Guido Reni in 1619. It is an oil on canvas religious painting depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, created in a chiaroscuro style showing the figure standing nude with a pierced flank, gazing toward Heaven. The painting entered the Spanish royal collection through the ownership of Ferdinand VII, later passing to Charles III and then to his consort, Elisabeth Farnese.
Since entering the royal collection, it has been part of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it remains on display. The work is catalogued as Prado inventory P00211 and measures 172 cm by 134.5 cm.
The painting Saint Sebastian by Guido Reni is housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain, where it is recorded under the inventory number P00211. It entered the royal collection through the ownership of Ferdinand VII, Charles III, and Elisabeth Farnese and has been part of the museum’s display since its acquisition. The work was exhibited in the Prado’s galleries focusing on 17th‑century Italian religious art and later featured in a special exhibition on the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian.
The canvas measures 172 cm by 134.5 cm and was created in 1619. It has also been included in traveling exhibitions that examined Baroque depictions of martyrdom, traveling from the Prado to venues in Europe and the United States.
Legacy
The painting's influence is reflected in the existence of multiple replicas and versions distributed across major collections. A replica is held at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, while another version is preserved at the Louvre in Paris. Additional versions are located in Porto Rico and New Zealand.
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1619 by Guido Reni, is a representation of Saint Sebastian. It is housed at the Museo del Prado.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Guido Reni was an Italian Baroque painter, although his works showed a classical manner, similar to Simon Vouet, Nicolas Poussin, and Philippe de Champaigne.
