Saint Sebastian c. 15th century

Curator: This delicate drawing from the school of Antonio Pollaiuolo depicts Saint Sebastian. The sheet measures just over 23 cm tall. Editor: The figure's vulnerability is striking, even without the arrows. There's a feeling of pathos in the relaxed contrapposto. Curator: Indeed. The preparatory nature of the piece—the thin strokes of ink—suggests a workshop process, perhaps a study for a larger composition. Think of the economy of materials, the deliberate use of line to convey form... Editor: And that form carries a heavy symbolic weight. Sebastian represents resilience, faith in the face of suffering, a theme that resonates across cultures and time. Curator: It's a compelling interaction between physical form and spiritual significance. Thank you. Editor: Thank you. It reminds us of the enduring power of symbols to transcend their materiality.