De Heilige Sebastiaan before 1612

Gerard ter Borch created this drawing of Saint Sebastian using pen and brown ink, with brown wash, at an unknown date. The composition directs our gaze immediately to Sebastian's body, pierced by arrows. Ter Borch masterfully employs the limited palette to focus on the anatomical form, with light and shadow defining the contours of muscle and flesh. The saint’s figure is set against a neutral backdrop, emphasizing the texture and materiality of the drawing itself. The arrows, rendered with stark lines, punctuate the soft modeling of the body, creating a visual tension between violence and serene acceptance. This formal contrast speaks to the broader themes of martyrdom and transcendence. The drawing, with its carefully controlled washes and precise linework, invites us to contemplate the intersection of physical suffering and spiritual fortitude. It's a powerful meditation on form and content, inviting ongoing interpretation.