Ancient oil painting on canvas depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. 17th century period.

Ancient oil painting on canvas of Flemish origin representing the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian.

Below in the foreground is the scene of the martyrdom: on the right the group of archers constitutes the dramatic nucleus of the scene, with an intense contrast between their troubled faces, their silhouettes partially in shadow, their muscles tense in effort on one side and on the other. the other, the radiant beauty of the saint, whose body, defined by a decisive plasticism and massive volumetry, obediently offers itself to martyrdom, even bending into a position parallel to the hostile arches.

In the upper part an angel comes to the aid of the Saint holding in his hands the laurel wreath - symbol of victory through martyrdom - and the palm symbol of martyrdom and rebirth.