Artwork
Hl. Sebastian (Nachfolger)
Hl. Sebastian (Nachfolger) is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The painting 'Hl.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
This narrative scene emphasizes themes of compassion, care, and the physical aftermath of faith-based persecution rather than the act of execution itself.
The work depicts Saint Sebastian, a central figure in Christian hagiography, within the genre of religious art. The specific iconography focuses on the moment following the saint's martyrdom by arrows, showing him being tended to by Saint Irene. This narrative scene emphasizes themes of compassion, care, and the physical aftermath of faith-based persecution rather than the act of execution itself.
By portraying the saint in a vulnerable state receiving aid, the painting represents the human dimension of divine suffering and the communal duty of burial and healing in early modern religious devotion.
History & Provenance
The painting is held in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich, as part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Its inventory number is 6563.
The work was included in the exhibition Caravaggio und seine Zeitgenossen held at the Alte Pinakothek from 1986 to 1987.
Overview
The painting 'Hl. Sebastian (Nachfolger)' is a dramatic depiction of two figures, rendered in a striking visual style.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, a technique characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, to create a sense of depth and volume. Sharp lighting accentuates the figures, casting pronounced shadows that add to the overall dramatic effect.
Artist & collection
