Saint Sebastian - Wood Sculpture, Late 16th Century

Saint Sebastian is depicted here in a classical posture, tied to a tree and pierced with arrows, symbolizing his martyrdom. His gentle and serene expression illustrates the saint's resignation and faith. The proportions and details (the muscles, the folds of the clothes, the expression on the face) suggest that it belongs to a Renaissance sculptural tradition. This sculpture, typical of 16th-century devotional religious works, was probably made for private chapels or wealthy patrons. The use of walnut, a wood prized for its strength and finesse, confirms the quality of this piece. The style is sober and not excessively ornate, which may indicate a northern or central European origin, for example Germany, Flanders or Switzerland. These regions produced remarkable religious wooden sculptures in the 15th and 16th centuries.