St. Sebastian At The Tree 1501

Albrecht Durer made this ink drawing of St. Sebastian sometime around 1500, give or take, as part of a series of religious works made in Nuremberg, Germany. Durer was a leading artist of the Northern Renaissance, a movement that saw a resurgence of interest in classical art, literature, and philosophy. Here, the scene emphasizes the suffering of Saint Sebastian, a popular figure in the Catholic Church, who was martyred for his Christian faith during the Roman Empire. He is shown tied to a tree, pierced by arrows, and awaiting execution. Durer creates meaning through the use of visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The artist's monogram, 'AD,' is prominently displayed on a tablet affixed to the tree. Durer was a pivotal figure in elevating the status of the artist from craftsman to intellectual. To fully understand Durer's work, we need to research the religious, intellectual, and artistic contexts in which he lived, using historical sources.