1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian is a 1650 by Aegidius Sadeler II, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a muscular man tied to a tree, arrows stuck in his chest. Around him, people look on—some kneeling, others pointing. A winged figure hovers above, holding a wreath, while a woman on the right reaches out toward the man. The scene is detailed with folds in fabric, leaves, and dramatic lighting. The arrows and the wreath suggest this is about sacrifice or suffering. The artist used strong contrasts between light and dark to make the figures stand out. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works in other art.
This print depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, after a design by Jacopo Palma il Vecchio, produced by Aegidius Sadeler II in 1650 on paper.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Aegidius Sadeler or Aegidius Sadeler II (1570–1629) was a Flemish engraver who was principally active at the Prague court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and his successors.
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