The martyrdom of Saint Sebastian 1724 - 1734

This etching, *The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian*, was created by Anne Claude Philippe Caylus in the early 18th century. The scene depicts the moment of Saint Sebastian’s martyrdom, showing him being pierced by arrows while being tended to by a group of men. This work is a fine example of the Baroque style, which was popular during the time. The artist uses strong contrasts of light and dark to emphasize the drama of the scene, drawing the viewer's attention to the suffering of the saint. This piece exemplifies the artistic practices of the period, particularly the use of etching as a means of reproduction and distribution. The etching’s text indicates that the work is based on a drawing by a renowned artist of the time, Chevalier Daniel Saiter. The inscription also points to the fact that the original drawing belonged to the collection of the wealthy art collector, M. Crozat. This etching is a testament to the importance of religious iconography in art during this era and offers insight into the artistic exchanges that were occurring in the French art world of the time.