Saint Sebastian

Art Historical Context

Odilon Redon’s *Saint Sebastian* (1910–1912) captures the enduring image of the early Christian martyr through the lens of Symbolism. Painted in oil on canvas during the artist’s later, vibrantly colored phase, the, narrow format—measuring over four feet in height—emphasizes the solitary, elongated figure of Sebastian. Redon, who began his career with mysterious charcoal “noirs” before embracing luminous hues, transforms the traditional subject of suffering into a dreamlike meditation on spirituality and transcendence. The work reflects Redon’s lifelong fascination with religious and mythological themes, reinterpreted through a personal, poetic sensibility rather than literal narrative. Created in the years just before World War I, it stands as a quiet counterpoint to the turbulent modern world, inviting viewers to contemplate resilience and inner vision. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s Chester Dale Collection, the painting exemplifies Redon’s ability to blend historical subject matter with the evocative power of color and form.

About the Artist

Odilon Redon · 1840–1916

Odilon Redon (1840-1916) was a French Symbolist painter, printmaker, and pastellist whose visionary art bridged the 19th-century Symbolist movement and 20th-century Surrealism. Born Bertrand Redon in Bordeaux on April 20, 1840, he earned the nickname "Odilon" from his mother Odile. His father, who made his fortune in the Louisiana slave trade, conceived Odilon in New Orleans before the family retu...