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St Sebastian Tended by the Holy Women, c. 1590-1650 (oil on canvas)
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St Sebastian Tended by the Holy Women, c. 1590-1650 (oil on canvas)
3792057 St Sebastian Tended by the Holy Women, c.1590-1650 (oil on canvas) by Italian School; 168.3x108 cm; Leeds Museums and Art Galleries (Temple Newsam House) UK; (add.info.: Attributed to Italian School
Previously attributed to Spanish School
Saint Sebastian is being nursed by St Irene, with an old woman in the right background and a young boy, holding a small bowl (possibly to collect the Saints blood, considered as a relic and as a powerful remedy, or holding ointment) in the left foreground. The composition, with the figures arranged on a diagonal line in order to emphasise the perspective, as well as the strong use of chiaroscuro, suggest a Neapolitan artist of the first half of the 17th century, such as Mattia Preti or Antonio De Bellis, working under the influence of Caravaggio, or possibly a Spanish artist. The painting is more likely to be by an Italian artist since most Spanish pictures did not arrive in England till later in the 19th century and Temple Newsam painting is recorded in England by 1824. It has been variously attributed to Murillo, Caracciolo and Ribera.
This episode of Saint Sebastians life, which chronologically follows his martyrodom by the arrows, is not as widely represented and could be related to the diffusion of the plague in Southern Italy during the 17th century (particularly in 1630 and 1656). The saint was considered, together with Saint Roch, the patron to invoke against the plague.); eLeeds Museums and Galleries; Leeds Museums and Art Galleries (Temple Newsam House) UK; Italian, out of copyright
Media ID 23145288
© Leeds Museums and Galleries Leeds Museums and Art Galleries (Temple Newsam House) UK / Bridgeman Images
Arrow Arrows Bound Bowl Chalice Chiaroscuro Martyrdom Ointment Pain Pale Shot Tending Weak Dying Injuries Tended Wound
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The print captures a stunning painting titled "St Sebastian Tended by the Holy Women" dating back to the late 16th or early 17th century. Painted in oil on canvas, this masterpiece is attributed to the Italian School and measures 168.3x108 cm. It is currently housed at Leeds Museums and Art Galleries in Temple Newsam House, UK. In this composition, we see St Sebastian being cared for by St Irene, while an old woman stands in the background and a young boy holds a small bowl in the foreground. The boy's gesture suggests he may be collecting the saint's blood as a relic or applying ointment to his wounds. The figures are arranged diagonally, enhancing perspective, and chiaroscuro techniques are employed to create contrast between light and shadow. The painting bears influences of Caravaggio and Neapolitan artists from the first half of the 17th century like Mattia Preti or Antonio De Bellis. However, it was previously attributed to Spanish School painters such as Murillo, Caracciolo, or Ribera. This particular episode from St Sebastian's life depicts him being tended after his martyrdom by arrows; it is less commonly depicted than his actual martyrdom itself. This representation could be linked to the plague outbreaks that plagued Southern Italy during that period, with St Sebastian considered one of two patron saints against this deadly disease alongside Saint Roch. Overall, this artwork showcases exceptional skill and tells a story deeply rooted in religious symbolism and historical context.
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