Published on 2025-11-20

Saint Sebastian is marked by the plague and arrows

The Saint Sebastian by Antonello da Messina is a painting representing the martyr pierced by five arrows. In addition to these shafts shot from the viewer's space, the body displays purulent wounds on the arms reminiscent of plague buboes. Despite these injuries and his contrapposto posture, the character keeps a face whose beauty remains untouched by pain.