Saint Sebastian c. 1580s

Vincenzo Campi captured Saint Sebastian in dynamic form using pen and brown ink. The drawing's lines sketch out a figure in upward motion, conveying a sense of ascension or supplication, and evoke a feeling of contemplative strength. The composition emphasizes the saint's muscular physique, rendered with hatching and cross-hatching that model the body's form. The upward reach of the arms creates a visual tension, drawing the viewer's eye along the diagonal axis. This formal arrangement not only animates the figure but also suggests a reaching beyond the physical constraints of the body. Campi's choice of medium and technique contributes to the artwork's meaning; the immediacy of the ink on paper captures the raw emotion of the moment. This choice reflects the philosophical interest in the tangible and the sensorial that was prevalent during Campi's time. It encourages us to reflect on the interplay between physicality and spirituality and the ongoing dialogue between the corporeal and the divine.