The artwork “San Sebastian,” created by Andrea Mantegna in 1480, is a religious painting belonging to the Early Renaissance art movement. This painting, executed on canvas using tempera, measures 255 x 144 cm and is currently housed in the Louvre in Paris, France.
In the artwork, Saint Sebastian is depicted in a moment of martyrdom, bound to a classical column adorned with intricate carvings, amidst a ruinous architectural setting. His nearly nude figure, struck with arrows, exemplifies the heightened attention to anatomical detail and the portrayal of human suffering characteristic of the Early Renaissance. The background reveals a picturesque landscape with notable architectural structures, enhancing the sense of depth and setting the dramatic scene. The expressions of the onlookers at the bottom further convey the solemnity and gravity of the event, capturing the emotional intensity that Mantegna is renowned for in his religious compositions.
