St. Sebastian 1515

Matthias Grünewald painted St. Sebastian with oil on wood in the early 16th century. The materiality of this piece emphasizes the artist’s craft. The smooth surface of the painting and the vivid colors are a testament to the artist’s skill with the medium. Grünewald painstakingly layers paint to create textures and depth, engaging with the traditional fine arts practice of oil painting. The rich hues of St. Sebastian's cloak and skin, achieved through the laborious process of mixing pigments with oil, highlight the saint’s suffering. There's an element of labor involved in the creation of this artwork, from the preparation of the wood panel to the grinding and mixing of pigments. Through his craft, Grünewald elevates the subject matter, drawing attention to the cultural significance of the piece. The material and the making are thus intrinsic to the artwork’s message.