Mantegna, Saint Sebastian (1456–1457)

Humanists often presented their mission as one of salvaging the remains of classical antiquity as if from a shipwreck. Fragments of antiquities were an inspiration to scholars and artists alike. Andrea Mantegna, active in Padua before becoming court artist to the Gonzaga rulers of Mantua, undertook archaeological investigations himself. In this painting of St Sebastian (a plague saint), fragmentary ancient architectural and sculptural details are testament to this interest, but also represent the earthly inevitability of change and loss in contrast to the eternal triumph of Christianity. Mantegna positions himself between past and present: the broken marble casing reveals his name (in Greek) inscribed in stone.

Credit: Oren Margolis (July 2018)