Martydom of Saint Sebastian 1796 - 1896

This is Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier's small bronze plaque, "Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian," now at the Metropolitan Museum. The initial impression is one of contained agony, shaped by the composition's sharp diagonals and the figure's constrained verticality. The body of Saint Sebastian is not idealized but rendered with a directness that emphasizes the harsh reality of his martyrdom. Arrows pierce the body, creating lines that disrupt the surface, and the texture of the bronze adds a tactile dimension, heightening the sense of suffering. This treatment diverges from earlier, more idealized portrayals, reflecting a shift towards realism and the exploration of human vulnerability. Charpentier uses the formal elements to challenge the traditional heroic narrative. The compact size and stark realism invite a more intimate and unsettling contemplation on faith, suffering, and the human condition.