Saint Sebastian 1600 - 1899

This is Saint Sebastian, made by Pietro Tacca, likely in Florence, out of bronze that has been partially gilded. The process of gilding, applying thin leaves of gold to the bronze, would have been painstaking, requiring skilled hands to adhere the delicate metal. The contrast between the dark bronze and the shimmering gold is striking. The choice of bronze gives the sculpture weight and a sense of permanence, while the gilding elevates it, emphasizing the saint's divine status. Tacca was a master of bronze casting, a technique involving molten metal poured into a mold, then carefully finished. The making process would have involved many hands and a well-organized workshop. Consider the labor involved in extracting and refining the bronze, not to mention the gold. These materials were not easily won from the earth; they were the products of extensive mining operations. By understanding the materials and making processes, we can appreciate the craftsmanship and its connection to labor, materials, and social context.