Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Saint Sebastian
Attributed to Astolfo Petrazzi (Siena, 1583–1665)
Oil on canvas 88 x 64 cm. Framed 98 x 76 cm.
The painting in question depicts an intense portrait of Saint Sebastian, shown full-length and immortalized at the moment of his martyrdom, following the death sentence imposed on him by Diocletian.
The evident quality of the painting and the stylistic traits that define it suggest its authorship by a talented painter from the Tuscan school of the early 17th century, specifically Astolfo Petrazzi (Siena, 1583–1665).
He trained in Siena under the guidance of Francesco Vanni and also collaborated with Ventura Salimbeni and Pietro Sorri.
He was an artist of great talent with a highly distinctive painting style, who was able to blend the influence of Leonardo with the Sienese school and early Mannerism: here, the artist has masterfully re-presented his style, particularly his strong realism and the element of pathos, which would become one of the most characteristic features of his artistic signature.
The attention to the realistic details of facial features and emotions, the skillful use of light and shadow, and the deep understanding and reinterpretation of models from Italian Renaissance painting are the characteristics we find in our beautiful Saint Sebastian.
The scene, far removed from the classical iconography that depicts him suffering as he is pierced by arrows, portrays him instead in the moments immediately preceding his first martyrdom, in which the executioners or torturers prepare the saint, bound to a tree on the Palatine Hill, with part of the imperial palaces depicted in the background, one soldier tightens the ropes around his feet and another binds his arms behind his back.
The expression on his face is deeply moving, with his eyes open and turned upward, where an angel is offering him the crown, symbolizing the victory of faith over death and foretelling his heavenly glory.
The saint is, in fact, idealized in a youthful beauty, through which his state of ecstasy shines through, conveying to the viewer an example of absolute devotion and faith, elevating him to a figure of spiritual triumph.
Delevery information :
We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
