Artwork
Madonna of Saint Sebastian
Madonna of Saint Sebastian is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Correggio. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
About this work
Overview
Madonna of Saint Sebastian is a large-scale oil painting on canvas, measuring 265 cm by 161 cm, created by Correggio around 1524. It is now housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus, surrounded by saints, including Saint Sebastian and Saint Roch. The inclusion of Saint Roch, a plague saint, and a figure with a bandaged arm, suggests the work was commissioned in response to the 1523 plague in Modena, invoking divine protection.
Technique & Style
Correggio employed warm, earthy tones (reds, golds) and chiaroscuro to create depth and dramatic effect, with soft, blurry backgrounds contrasting with sharply defined, popping figures, drawing focal attention to the Virgin.
History & Provenance
Originally commissioned by the confraternity of Saint Sebastian in Modena, the painting was later acquired by Francesco I d'Este in the 17th century. It was purchased by Augustus III of Saxony in 1746 and relocated to Dresden, where it remains.
Context
The painting's creation followed a devastating plague in Modena (1523), reflecting the community's plea for heavenly intervention. Its early fame is evidenced by reproductions in print and paint by notable artists like Carlo Bertelli and Federico Zuccari.
Legacy
Madonna of Saint Sebastian has been admired since its creation, with its artistic influence and historical significance contributing to its enduring presence in art historical discourse.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antonio Allegri da Correggio (August 1489 – 5 March 1534), usually known as just Correggio (, also UK: , US: , Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High…
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