Artwork
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jacopo Bassano. It dates from 1574 and is held in the collection of the Belvedere.
About this work
Overview
Jacopo Bassano’s oil on canvas, dated 1574, portrays the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The work is part of the Louvre’s collection and presents a dramatic moment from the saint’s legend, rendered with the artist’s characteristic attention to detail.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on Saint Sebastian, bound to a stone platform and pierced by arrows in his side and leg. A figure in a red robe, wearing a white cap, is shown extracting one of the arrows, suggesting both the cruelty of the execution and a compassionate intervention.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting displays Bassano’s skillful handling of light and shadow, reminiscent of chiaroscuro effects. The folds of the garments are meticulously modeled, and the facial expressions convey tension, enhancing the narrative’s emotional impact.
Context
Created during the late Renaissance, the work reflects the period’s interest in vivid religious storytelling. The backdrop features a clear blue sky, distant trees, and a modest building, situating the martyrdom within a recognizable, yet idealized, landscape.
History & Provenance
Since its completion in the mid‑16th century, the canvas has passed through various collections before entering the Louvre Museum, where it remains on public display as an example of Bassano’s religious oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacopo Bassano was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Venetian school. He was born and died in Bassano del Grappa, and took the village as his surname. Having trained in the workshop of his father, Francesco the…
