Saint Sebastian c. 1625 - 1650

Curator: This sculpture, "Saint Sebastian," by Erasmus Kern, stands at approximately 49 inches tall. What strikes you first about this representation? Editor: The holes in his body immediately bring to mind the violence inflicted on queer bodies throughout history, framing it as both personal and systemic. Curator: Saint Sebastian, in this context, became a symbol of resilience, particularly within marginalized communities facing persecution. How might Kern's work engage with that legacy? Editor: The way the figure is presented, almost reaching upward, feels like a defiant act of reclaiming the narrative. It's not just about suffering. Curator: Right, it's about endurance and perhaps even a form of spiritual ecstasy in the face of brutality, echoing the saint's role as a protector during plagues. Editor: Precisely. Viewing this sculpture reminds us how symbols can be repurposed to empower those who have been historically oppressed. Curator: An important reminder of how art history continually reshapes our understanding of identity and resistance. Editor: Absolutely, it urges us to consider whose stories are told, how, and why.