An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Saint Sebastianc. 1493
Perugino
The Florentine painter Perugino made drawings to record figural types and poses that could be repeated throughout his finished paintings. He used the elegant, graceful figure seen here, with its soft athletic body and upwardly turned gaze, in at least two paintings of the 3rd-century martyr Saint Sebastian (the related paintings are now in the collection of the Galleria degli Uffizi, and the Louvre). Sebastian was shot with arrows after being exposed as a Christian convert; he was particularly revered during the Renaissance as a protector against illness such as the plague. Portrayal of the saint required Perugino to express his knowledge of human anatomy, while evoking the gentle s-curve associated with classical sculpture. Drawn with metalpoint, a typical drawing medium in the 1400s, the reinforced lines along the contour of the figure indicate that it was probably used by the artist or by one of his many studio assistants to transfer the design to another sheet.
The elegant pose of Saint Sebastian here was used by the artist in at least two finished paintings of the saint.
metalpoint
Sheet: 25.6 x 14.6 cm (10 1/16 x 5 3/4 in.)
Dudley P. Allen Fund
In the tranquil heart of Florence, where the sun spills golden light over cobblestone streets, there lived a masterful painter named Perugino. His studio, filled with the scent of linseed oil and the gentle rustle of parchment, buzzed with creativity. Here, he meticulously crafted drawings that captured the essence of the human form—sketches brimming with elegance and grace, designed to be the lifeblood of his finished paintings.
Among these figures was one particularly striking form, a portrayal of the 3rd-century martyr Saint Sebastian. With his athletic build and gaze cast upwards, this figure seemed to defy gravity and time, embodying a spirit of resilience and hope. Perugino used this same figure in at least two paintings, now treasures held within the walls of the Galleria degli Uffizi and the Louvre.
In an age where the world was fraught with illness and suffering, Saint Sebastian rose as a beacon of protection against maladies like the plague. His story, a tragic yet inspiring one, told of how he was brutally shot with arrows after his faith as a Christian convert was exposed. The Renaissance had embraced him, celebrating his courage and devotion even in the face of death.
To depict the saint authentically, Perugino delved deep into the intricacies of human anatomy, capturing the graceful s-curve reminiscent of classical sculptures. His technique was almost reverential; he employed metalpoint, a drawing medium that glided over paper with precision. Each line, painstakingly reinforced along the contours of the figure, whispered stories of the artist’s hand—perhaps it was Perugino himself or one of his dedicated studio assistants who would later transport this divine design onto canvas.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows in his workshop, Perugino would step back, admiring the serene beauty of his creation. Each stroke, each curve spoke to the sacred narrative of faith and resilience, reminding all who beheld it of the enduring power of the human spirit. In these moments, the artist and his subject were intertwined, destined to resonate through time.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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