Saint Sebastian
boxwood
height 22 cm
Further images
Saint Sebastian was one of the most popular saints from the Middle Ages through the Baroque. Protector against the plague and epidemics in general, he was also – having been...
Saint Sebastian was one of the most popular saints from the Middle Ages through the Baroque. Protector against the plague and epidemics in general, he was also – having been a centurion in the Roman army – patron saint of soldiers, and of archers in particular. For these reasons there are a great many artworks – especially sculptures – depicting the saint. Usually, he is shown tied to a tree, pierced with the arrows shot at him by his tormentors. (The legend says that after angels carefully removed the arrows, he made a miraculous recovery.) In the present work, the image of the saint is not necessarily that of the suffering martyr; instead, it takes the form of an Athleta Christi or Champion of Christ: well-built and muscular, the saint is heroically overcoming his suffering, turning his head towards the skies, awaiting salvation.