Saint Sebastian 1770 - 1790

Giovanni David made this print of Saint Sebastian in 18th century Italy using etching and engraving. Here, Saint Sebastian is surrounded by the tools of torture and figures in the act of tormenting him, a divergence from the traditional depictions of a lone figure pierced with arrows. This print reflects the broader cultural and institutional contexts of its time. It was made during the late Baroque/ early Neoclassical period when the Catholic Church still had a strong grip over Italian culture. Religious imagery played a crucial role in shaping social values, and prints such as this one allowed those images to become widely available. However, artists also began to subtly question the Church's authority. Prints like this one were not only devotional objects, but also commodities within an expanding art market. Understanding this print requires considering the history of religious institutions, printmaking techniques, and artistic patronage during this period.