Saint Sebastian
Only two early impressions of this print are known. Its technique, consisting of strongly outlined forms modeled with light evenly traced parallel strokes, approaches that employed in drawings of this period. The print has traditionally been assigned to the Master of the Playing Cards, an artist probably active in Alsace, though the rather unstable poses and the muddled formation of the small hill on the left have led some scholars to question the attribution. The overall polished technique and details such as the naturalistic rendering of the saint's chest suggest that the engraver, if not the master himself, was certainly an accomplished artist closely familiar with his work. As in the Master's more securly attributed prints, the technique approaches that found in contemporary drawings--strongly outlined forms modeled with extremely fine parallel strokes. These thin, sharp, and slightly fuzzy lines were probably created with a drypoint stylus rather than a burin, the tool more typically associated with engraving, which produces slightly broader and more tapered lines. Saint Sebastian, a frequent subject of prints from this period, was regarded as one of the main guardian saints against the plague.
Artwork Details
- Title: Saint Sebastian
- Artist: attributed to Master of the Playing Cards (German, active ca. 1425–50)
- Date: 15th century
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: sheet: 5 9/16 x 8 1/4 in. (14.1 x 20.9 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1934
- Object Number: 34.38.1
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Master of the Playing Cards
ca. 1435–40
Returned to lender
Master of the Playing Cards
ca. 1435–40
Returned to lender
Master of the Playing Cards
ca. 1435–40
Martin Schongauer
ca. 1475–80
Albrecht Dürer
1504
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.