Saint Sebastian, Gerrit van Honthorst, oil on canvas, 39.8 by 46.1 in., Netherlands ca. 1623, National Gallery, London.
The Renaissance allowed for new movements of art to develop. Because this period was so influential, the eras that came after took many aspects and techniques with them, building upon the work of past masters. One of the artists who did this during the Baroque period was Gerrit van Honthorst, whose work was deeply impacted by Caravaggio’s style. Specifically, he admired his usage of chiaroscuro, defined as the usage of strong contrasts between dark and light tones. One of Honthorst’s works that portray this is Saint Sebastian, created in 1623.
The figure known as Saint Sebastian was believed to be a Roman commander in the third century. He was persecuted because of his conversion to Christianity. Based upon the commands of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, a group of Sebastian’s acquaintances and soldiers tied him down to a post and shot him with multiple arrows. He surprisingly survived the initial attack but was later clubbed to death on Diocletian’s orders. The brutality and intense emotion of Sebastian’s sorrowful death became a common theme throughout multiple centuries in Europe.
Specifically, in Honthorst’s depiction, he has highlighted the saint approaching death. Four arrows are seen deeply wounding his partially nude body, covered only by a small white garment. The most severe wound depicts a singular arrow protruding from one side of his leg to another, as blood begins to drip from the tip. As many Baroque painters have done, Honthorst placed the figure directly in the center of the composition. His influence of classical sculpture is evident in the torso of Sebastian. The painter intendeds to promote emotion that viewers could feel when looking at the work. The strength of religion was also a theme.
The followers of Saint Sebastian were prominent in Rome, as that is where he spent the majority of his time and religious activities. His carcass was buried in the catacombs, currently where the Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori le Mura sits. It was dedicated to him and his legacy. Numerous buildings were planned regarding Saint Sebastian during Honthorst’s time spent in Rome, influencing his art path forever. Saint Sebastian is believed to be completed a few years after he left Rome for the Netherlands, his native country.
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