Artwork

Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian, by Leendert van der Cooghen, ink, 1665
Saint Sebastian, by Leendert van der Cooghen, ink, 1665

Saint Sebastian is an ink print by the Baroque artist Leendert van der Cooghen. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This etching on laid paper, titled Saint Sebastian, was created by Leendert van der Cooghen in 1665.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a man, identified as Saint Sebastian, tied to a tree with arrows piercing his body. Despite his injuries, his face remains serene. The surrounding foliage is dense and chaotic, contrasting with the figure's calm demeanor.

Technique & Style

The artist employed drypoint, a technique that involves scratching a metal plate to create textured lines. This method produces rich, expressive marks, evident in the rough, scratched appearance of the image.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.