Saint Sebastian 1600 - 1899

This bronze sculpture by Pietro Tacca depicts Saint Sebastian, a popular subject in Renaissance art, tied to a tree and being shot with arrows. Tacca's depiction captures the moment before the arrows strike, creating a powerful and dramatic scene. The sculpture's use of contrasting finishes—the golden Saint Sebastian against the dark bronze tree—highlights the figure's vulnerability and the intensity of his suffering. This work, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Tacca's mastery of the bronze medium and his ability to create a compelling and emotionally resonant sculpture.