Saint Sebastian, Lombard painter of the early seventeenth century

Lombard painter of the early seventeenth century
Daniele Crespi (Busto Arsizio, 1597-1600 – Milan 1630) Circle of

San Sebastiano

oil on canvas (82 x 60 cm. – framed 100 x 79 cm.)

Full details of the painting (click HERE)

Saint Sebastian, soldier and martyr of Christ, is a striking figure who returns in art with incredible frequency as one of the most represented saints of the Catholic Church.

Protector against pandemics, anciently believed to be signs of heavenly wrath imposed on the world for its sins, he was for this reason copiously depicted especially between the 16th and 17th centuries.

Immortalized at the moment of his martyrdom, following the death sentence inflicted on him by Diocletian, the Saint is depicted here with great realism: the scene, faithful to classical iconography, shows him tied to the trunk of a tree, with his hands clasped and raised above his head, and suffering with an arrow piercing his flesh.

The composition focuses attention on the Saint's muscular anatomy and expression: often depicted as a beautiful nude youth with light drapery around his hips, he became a pretext for artists in the Renaissance and Baroque periods to represent the aesthetic ideal of the male body. Rather than a suffering martyr, he sometimes appeared as a classical hero, with an "equivocal charm" that made him particularly captivating to art lovers.
Although traditional iconography depicts him being pierced by arrows, only one is visible in this particular painting. The focus is entirely on the emotional expression and anatomical rendering of the body, struggling between life and death.

The intensity that shines through his body is of great emotional impact, illuminated by a powerful light that highlights his figure and illuminates his body and face with his eyes turned to the sky, in an ardent sentimental expression of dramatic expectation;

The marked realism traces its origins back to the Lombard school of painting of the early 17th century, an extraordinarily successful artistic period that, in the first half of the century, saw a succession of excellent artists, making Milan in every respect one of the nerve centers and most influential of Italian painting of the time.

The characteristics of the canvas, and in particular the physiognomic features of the face characterised by a strong pathos, are elements that recall the style of Daniele Crespi (Busto Arsizio 1598 – Milan 1630), one of the major exponents of seventeenth-century Milan, with a
pictorial style that seems to progressively distance itself from the still fashionable Mannerist current, towards a classicism of Carracci origin.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The images were created using a professional photographic set and lighting.

The work is sold complete with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

In case of purchase of the work by non-Italian customers it will be necessary to obtain an export permit which requires approximately 10/20 days, our gallery will take care of the entire phase until obtaining it. All costs of this procedure are included.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

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