Artwork
Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
According to the Wikidata entry, the main subject is identified as the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, confirming the iconographic focus of the composition.
The painting depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, a Christian saint traditionally shown bound and pierced by arrows. Ribera's canvas portrays this subject as an oil on canvas, with the saint rendered in the naturalistic, tenebrist style associated with the artist's religious work. The image of Sebastian suffering under arrows carried strong associations with endurance, faith, and divine protection against plague, themes that gave the subject enduring resonance in Counter-Reformation religious art.
According to the Wikidata entry, the main subject is identified as the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, confirming the iconographic focus of the composition.
The work belongs to the genre of religious art and was created by Jusepe de Ribera in 1636, a period when depictions of tortured saints were a hallmark of Ribera's output. The martyrdom theme reflects the broader Catholic visual program of the era, in which the suffering of saints was presented as a model of spiritual fortitude and salvation.
Technique & Style
Jusepe de Ribera executed Saint Sebastian in 1636 using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 127 cm in height and 100 cm in width. Classified as a religious painting, the piece depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. Its composition was later reprised by the artist for a separate work now held in Naples.
History & Provenance
Jusepe de Ribera executed this oil on canvas depiction of Saint Sebastian in 1636. The composition served as a precursor for a later version currently housed in Naples.
The painting's documented history begins with its entry into the Spanish royal collection, where it was first recorded in 1747. At that time, the work was owned by King Ferdinand VII of Spain. It remains part of the royal holdings, currently preserved within the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
The painting is held in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it is listed as inventory number P001167. It was first recorded in the Spanish royal collection in 1747 and later entered the museum's holdings. The work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Musée du Louvre in Paris from October 2005 to January 2006, and at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao from May to September 2011.
Overview
Created in 1636, this oil on canvas portrays Saint Sebastian, the early Christian martyr, in a moment of quiet endurance. The figure stands against a muted, dark backdrop, his torso exposed and pierced by multiple arrows, while a simple white cloth encircles his waist. The saint’s expression remains composed, lending the scene a solemn, reflective atmosphere.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian:; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
