Title: Saint Sebastian

Artist: Vicente López

Saint Sebastian Tended by Saint Irene 1795–1800 Vicente López y Portaña Spanish, Valencia 1772–Madrid 1850 Oil on canvas When Sebastian, a Roman military captain, was discovered to be Christian, Emperor Diocletian ordered that he be executed by archers. A Christian widow, Irene, and a companion found Sebastian near death and nursed him back to health. López chose to depict this religious story not in a traditional, somber style but instead used vivid colors and creamy brushstrokes to create a sensuous vision that is at odds with the inherent horror of the event. Especially renowned for his portraiture, López was appointed first painter to the king of Spain in 1814.