Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Italy early 17th century

Oil on canvas representing Saint Sebastian tied to a tree, but holding the instrument of his martyrdom, and not riddled with arrows as usual. Sebastian is a holy Roman martyr who lived, according to Christian tradition, in the 3rd century. He is executed during the persecution of Diocletian for having supported his co-religionists in their faith, and performed several miracles. Third patron of Rome, with Peter and Paul, he is also patron of archers, policemen of the pontifical guard. He is also invoked to fight against the plague and epidemics in general. Very beautiful period frame with its original gilding. Restorations above the navel, and in the sky above. Relining. Former attribution to Bartoloméo Schedoni, but more likely by the hand of a pupil of Guido Reni (1575-1642) A very close painting, from the collections of the museum of Soissons is given as "Bolonaise school" at the beginning of the 17th century.