Artwork
Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian is a paint print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This print, titled 'Saint Sebastian', is a metalcut work hand-colored in green, rose, and yellow. It depicts a scene in a wooded setting with three robed figures.
Subject & Meaning
The image shows a haloed figure, likely Saint Sebastian, shirtless and holding a staff, accompanied by two other men, one with a bearded face and a staff topped with a cross.
Technique & Style
The figures appear stiff and flat, characterized by sharp lines and minimal shading, reflecting the early stage of printmaking when techniques for creating depth were still developing.
Context
This work represents a period in art history when printmaking was emerging, preceding the advancements in depth and realism that would come during the Renaissance.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.






![Studies for Six Figures (sheet from a model book) [recto], by German 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-century--studies-for-six-figures-sheet-from-a-model-book-recto--4837429e0755bc3f-w320.webp)












