St Sebastian 1470 - 1490

Francesco Bonsignori’s ‘St Sebastian’ presents a striking figure rendered with oil on wood. The composition is dominated by the verticality of Sebastian's body, pierced by arrows which create a starburst effect. The colour palette is muted, heightening the textures of skin, wood, and the landscape behind. Bonsignori uses the arrow as a formal device that links the classical with the symbolic, as it represents both a physical weapon and the arrows of divine love or suffering. The placement of the figure against a subtly rendered landscape creates a tension between the idealised form of Sebastian and the natural world, typical of Renaissance concerns with humanism and nature. The artist uses precise lines and careful shading to sculpt the figure, and the overall effect is one of serene acceptance rather than agony. Notice how the restrained colour scheme directs our focus to the detailed rendering of Sebastian's body. It is a careful balancing act of aesthetic beauty with Christian symbolism.