Sebastian (2022) Original Oil Painting by Nicolas Maureau

No arrows, no crowd, no martyrdom in progress: Sébastien, from the Mystiques series, gives a free interpretation of Saint Sebastian, stripped of the moment that made him famous and shown instead alone, before any of it happens.

Sebastian survived his execution, left for dead after being pierced with arrows, and came to be seen afterward as a protector against epidemics, one of the most painted figures in the history of Western art. Mystiques as a whole takes that same approach across its saints, catching each one before the miracle, the martyrdom, the sainthood, whatever made them legend.

What remains here is closer to a young man waiting than a saint already formed, the arrows implied rather than shown, the protection he'll come to represent still years away.

Materials used:

oil painting

Details:

• Oil painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 97 x 130 x 2cm / 97 x 130cm (actual image size)
• Ready to hang
• Signed on the back
• Style: Photorealistic
• Subject: People and portraits