The artwork, entitled “Martyrdom of St. Sebastian,” was rendered by the esteemed artist Honoré Daumier between the years 1849 and 1850. The piece, executed on panel using oil paint, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and falls within the genre of religious painting. It measures 32 x 22 cm and is housed in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
In the artwork, the figure of Saint Sebastian is depicted in a moment of extreme agony and spiritual fervor. The saint’s nude form, bound and vulnerable, is captured in a dynamic and expressive pose, reaching upwards with clasped hands, evocative of both physical suffering and spiritual transcendence. The background shows a dark, tumultuous sky interspersed with lighter patches, contributing to the overall dramatic effect. Notably, an angelic figure hovers above, seemingly descending from the heavens, conveying a sense of divine intervention and solace. The use of contrasting light and shadow, characteristic of the Romanticism movement, intensifies the emotional gravity of the scene. The raw and slightly unfinished texture of the brushstrokes adds a visceral immediacy to the portrayal, making it a striking and emotive piece.
