Saint Sebastian
1726 to 1750
Medium
brush and black ink with gray wash over graphite, heightened with white, on laid paper and incised for transfer; the verso rubbed with red chalk
Dimensions
overall: 16.8 x 12.9 cm (6 5/8 x 5 1/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Accession Number
1997.74.1
Art Historical Context
Behold the poignant *Saint Sebastian* (1726–1750), a masterful drawing by Joseph Christ, now housed in the National Gallery of Art. intimate study depicts the Christian martyr bound to a tree and pierced by arrows, a timeless symbol of faith and endurance. Rendered on laid paper in brush and black ink with gray over graphite, heightened with white, the work measures a modest 16.8 x 12.9 cm, inviting close contemplation of its delicate modeling and emotional depth. Christ's technique reveals its purpose as a preparatory design: incised lines on the recto allowed for precise transfer to another...