Artwork
Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian is an oil painting. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work presents a youthful figure, hair brushed to the shoulders and blond, garbed in a pink robe over a green tunic with black leggings.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a work of religious art, the image centers on the saint's traditional iconography, representing his historical narrative of persecution and faith.
This anonymous oil painting on panel, created in Florence in 1479, depicts the Christian martyr Saint Sebastian as its main subject. As a work of religious art, the image centers on the saint's traditional iconography, representing his historical narrative of persecution and faith. The composition focuses exclusively on the figure of Sebastian, adhering to the conventions of religious portraiture common to the period. The work serves as a devotional object illustrating the saint's enduring significance within the Christian tradition.
Technique & Style
Created in 1479 in Florence, this anonymous religious painting depicts Saint Sebastian. The work is executed in oil paint on a panel support. Measuring 115.5 cm in height and 45 cm in width, the piece demonstrates the application of oil media on wood typical of the period and region. The composition focuses exclusively on the titular saint, adhering to the conventions of religious genre painting.
History & Provenance
This anonymous panel painting depicting Saint Sebastian was created in Florence in 1479. Executed in oil paint, the work measures 115.5 cm in height and 45 cm in width. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
No specific details regarding the original commission, subsequent ownership chain, or provenance history prior to its current museum location are provided in the available records.
The painting Saint Sebastian is housed in the Rijksmuseum, listed under inventory number SK-C-464. It was created in Florence in 1479 using oil paint on panel, measuring 115.5 cm in height and 45 cm in width. The work has been part of the museum's collection since its acquisition and was featured in the exhibition "Early Netherlandish Painting in the Rijksmuseum," which highlighted religious artworks from the late 15th century.
Context
The 1479 oil painting of Saint Sebastian attributed to an anonymous artist was created in Florence and is classified as religious art. Executed in oil on panel, the work measures 115.5 cm in height and 45 cm in width. It is held in the Rijksmuseum collection and was described as an anonymous religious painting.
The piece forms part of the broader tradition of Renaissance religious art and has been studied within the context of anonymous religious works from this period.
Overview
The work presents a youthful figure, hair brushed to the shoulders and blond, garbed in a pink robe over a green tunic with black leggings. He stands within an arched doorway, clutching a spear in his right hand and an arrow in his left, his calm gaze set against a red and gold backdrop. A halo encircles his head, signaling his sanctified identity.
Artist & collection
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