Who painted Saint Sebastian?

Saint Sebastian was painted by Pietro Perugino in 1493.

Where can I see Saint Sebastian?

Saint Sebastian is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Saint Sebastian?

Saint Sebastian is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Sebastian

Pietro Perugino , 1493

Saint Sebastian is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino. It dates from 1493 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This metalpoint drawing by Perugino depicts Saint Sebastian, a 3rd-century martyr, in a characteristic pose with hands tied behind his back and arrows in his side, gazing upward. The work exemplifies the artist's use of drawings to establish reusable figural types.

Subject & Meaning

Saint Sebastian, revered in the Renaissance for protection against illness, is portrayed here with anatomical accuracy and a gentle, classical s-curve pose, reflecting Perugino's blend of realism and aesthetic grace.

Technique & Style

Executed in metalpoint, a prevalent medium in the 1400s, the drawing features reinforced contour lines, suggesting its practical use for transferring designs, potentially by Perugino or his studio assistants.

History & Provenance

This drawing is part of Perugino's practice of recording reusable poses. The same figure appears in two of his Saint Sebastian paintings, now housed in the Uffizi (Florence) and the Louvre (Paris). The drawing itself is currently in the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

Created in a time when the plague was prevalent, this work taps into the Renaissance devotion to Saint Sebastian as a protector against disease, while also showcasing Perugino's study of human anatomy inspired by classical ideals.

Legacy

The drawing demonstrates Perugino's efficient studio practice of reusing designs, contributing to the consistency of his oeuvre and influencing the depiction of Saint Sebastian in Renaissance art.