Martelaarschap van H. Sebastiaan c. 1590 - 1637

This print, depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, was made by Egbert Van Panderen around the 1620s. It’s an engraving, meaning that the artist used a tool called a burin to cut lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed. The material quality of the print is crucial to its message. The sharp, precise lines give a sense of drama to the scene, making Saint Sebastian's suffering palpable. Notice how the lines vary in thickness and density to create light and shadow, adding depth to the image. The texture of the paper itself also plays a role, giving the print a tactile quality that invites close inspection. Engraving was a highly skilled craft, requiring years of training to master. In the 17th century, printmaking was a crucial medium for disseminating information and ideas. Prints like this one would have been widely circulated, making the story of Saint Sebastian accessible to a broad audience. This print blurs the lines between art and craft, demonstrating how skilled craftsmanship can be used to convey powerful messages.