Oil on canvas, oval
Spain, around 1800
Spanish School
Signed with monogram on the stone lower right ‘M.G.’
Oval and beautifully gilded frame
Dimensions:68 x 54 cm
Provenance: Private collection, Germany
Classic depiction of St. Sebastian, patron of archers and athletes

This depiction of Saint Sebastian was probably painted by a Spanish artist active around 1800. The saint is represented in the traditional iconography, when attacked by the archers: tied to a tree stump and pierced by three arrows, so that fine trickles of his blood go down his naked body, which is only covered by a simple loincloth.



It is said that Sebastian, a Roman soldier, had publicly admitted to Christianity and also supported destitute Christian people. As a consequence, Diocletian sentenced him to death and had him shot by archers. Saint Sebastian is the patron saint against the plague and is, for instance, revered as one of the three patron saints of Rome. In Christian iconography, St. Sebastian can be usually identified by the attribute of an arrow penetrating his chest.

The painting is in good condition considering its age. It is signed with red monogram on the stone lower right ‘M.G.’. The canvas shows light marks, where the frame has rubbed. The figure shows tiny areas of retouching at the brow, chin and breast. The paint surface is slightly affected by fine scratches and small scattered stains. The gilded frame shows small traces of age and use and measures 81 x 68 cm. The size of the stretcher is 68 x 54 cm.

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