Copy of Le Martyre de St. Sébastien (The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian) 1625 - 1700

This is an anonymous print of ‘The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian’ on a sheet of paper at the Met. It depicts the moment when Saint Sebastian, a captain of the Roman guard, was tied to a post and shot with arrows for his Christian beliefs. This print reflects a historical preoccupation with religious martyrdom, particularly in countries embroiled in religious conflict like France in the 17th century. By depicting the landscape in the style of classical antiquity, this image creates meaning through historical association. Prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating visual information and influencing public opinion. This copy raises interesting questions about the role of imitation in art and the democratization of imagery. Historians interested in understanding this print could research the visual culture of martyrdom, the social and political context of religious conflict, and the history of printmaking and its impact on society. Such research allows us to understand the artwork as contingent on its social and institutional context.