Who created "Saint Sebastian"?

Saint Sebastian was created by Pietro Tacca in statuette: 17th century; trunk: 19th century or later.

When was "Saint Sebastian" created?

This artwork was created statuette: 17th century; trunk: 19th century or later.

What medium is "Saint Sebastian"?

Saint Sebastian is Bronze, fire-gilt, on later patinated bronze trunk.

Is "Saint Sebastian" in the public domain?

Yes, Saint Sebastian is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Saint Sebastian

Pietro Tacca

statuette: 17th century; trunk: 19th century or later

Medium

Bronze, fire-gilt, on later patinated bronze trunk

Dimensions

Overall (confirmed): 20 7/8 × 9 3/4 × 5 5/8 in. (53 × 24.8 × 14.3 cm)

Classification

Sculpture-Bronze

Culture

Possibly Italian

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Fletcher Fund, 1927

Accession Number

27.224.2

Tags

Saints

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze statuette of *Saint Sebastian*, crafted by the Italian Baroque sculptor Pietro Tacca the 17th century captures the martyr saint in a moment of poignant suffering and grace. Tacca, a pupil of Giambologna and a master of dynamic bronze figures, depicts Sebastian bound to a tree trunkpierced by arrows in the biblical account of his torture under Emperor Diocletian—his body twisting in elegant contrapposto, embodying the emotional intensity of the Baroque era. The saint's serene expression amid agony highlights the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on spiritual resilience and hu...

Saint Sebastian

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