Artwork

Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian, by German 15th Century, ink, 1450
Saint Sebastian, by German 15th Century, ink, 1450

Saint Sebastian is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1450 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodcut print depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, a Christian figure. Created using a combination of black woodcut and hand-coloring, it showcases the artist's skill in blending techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows Saint Sebastian tied to a tree, pierced by multiple arrows, set against a backdrop of a landscape and a distant city. The image represents the saint's execution, a pivotal moment in his martyrdom.

Technique & Style

The print is notable for its use of hand-coloring in red lake, red-orange, green, yellow, and tan, applied to a black woodcut. This technique adds depth and vibrancy to the image, drawing focus to the central figure.

Artist & collection

Portrait of German 15th Century

Artist

German 15th Century

This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.

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