Artwork
Portrait of a Youth as Saint Sebastian
Portrait of a Youth as Saint Sebastian is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Marco d'Oggiono. It dates from 1484 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Portrait of a Youth as Saint Sebastian is a painting by Marco d'Oggiono, a Milanese artist who worked in Leonardo da Vinci's studio.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a young man dressed as Saint Sebastian, tied to a tree and pierced by arrows. The subject's contemporary clothing from the late 1400s indicates that the work is a portrait rather than a representation of the historical saint.
Technique & Style
The artist employed sfumato, a technique characterized by soft, smoky shadows, to create a lifelike effect. This style, also used by Leonardo da Vinci, models the subject's flesh with blurred edges, adding depth to the portrait.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Marco d'Oggiono, who was influenced by his time working in Leonardo da Vinci's studio.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marco d'Oggiono (c. 1470 – c. 1549) was an Italian Renaissance painter and a chief pupil of Leonardo da Vinci, many of whose works he copied.
