Saint Sebastian Attended by Saint Irene c. 1889

Jean-Jacques Henner's "Saint Sebastian Attended by Saint Irene" (c. 1889) depicts the saint, a popular subject in art history, in a somber and melancholic moment. Saint Sebastian, tied to a tree and pierced with arrows, is depicted as a nude male figure, his body relaxed but bearing the marks of his martyrdom. In the background, two figures, likely Saint Irene and a shrouded woman, offer comfort and support. The painting's dark palette and subdued lighting contribute to the somber atmosphere, while Henner's meticulous attention to detail and realistic portrayal of the human figure make this work a powerful example of late 19th-century academic painting.