St Sebastian
Panel
15th century (made)
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
St Sebastian, beardless stands against a column with his hands behind his back, naked except for a pair of small shorts which are gathered at the waist. His body is pierced with seven holes representing the wounds caused by Diocletian's archers. The top of the panel has been cut away round the saint's head and shoulders and roughly carved with cusps.
Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes.
Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | St Sebastian (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, painted and gilt alabaster |
| Brief description | Alabaster panel depicting St Sebastian. English, 15th century. |
| Physical description | A plain border runs up each side of the panel above the ground. The beardless saint stands against a column, his hands behind his back, naked except for a pair of short drawers which are gathered at the waist. His body is pierced with seven holes representing the wounds caused by Diocletian's archers. The top of the panel has been cut away round the saint's head and shoulders and roughly carved with cusps. Green paint and the usual daisy pattern remain on the lower ground. There are traces of gilding in the saint's hair and the remains of a geometric pattern in black on the upper background. The unpainted surface is a rich 'ivory' colour. The back of the panel bears two lead-plugged holes, one with traces of latten wire. The bottom has been cut away. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Acquired by Dr W. L. Hildburgh from a dealer (Destrée) in Brussels. On loan from Dr Hildburgh since 1928. Given by Dr Hildburgh in1946. Historical significance: Representations of this saint are extremely rare in English alabaster. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | St Sebastian, beardless stands against a column with his hands behind his back, naked except for a pair of small shorts which are gathered at the waist. His body is pierced with seven holes representing the wounds caused by Diocletian's archers. The top of the panel has been cut away round the saint's head and shoulders and roughly carved with cusps. Saints are the heroes and heroines of Christian faith. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they were a popular subject for alabaster carvings. Religious themes penetrated private life, so devotional images of saints were sculpted not only for church interiors, but also for individuals to contemplate within the privacy of their homes. |
| Bibliographic reference | Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 148 (cat. 77), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.160-1946 |
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| Record created | November 25, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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