Saint Sebastian pierced with arrows and tied to a tree, copy after Cantarini 1634 - 1700

This etching, created sometime between 1634 and 1700, depicts a scene from the life of Saint Sebastian. The work is a copy of a drawing by Simone Cantarini, a prominent Baroque artist known for his skill in drawing. The composition features a detailed depiction of Saint Sebastian tied to a tree and pierced with arrows, with a putto floating above. The artist captures the pain and suffering of the saint with great anatomical accuracy. This piece, found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a glimpse into the artistry of the Baroque period, where religious themes and dramatic realism were highly valued.