Name/Title
Saint SebastianEntry/Object ID
1887.113Tags
Consult expertDescription
Prudish times have occurred throughout the history of art. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods nudity could not be gratuitous. Artists studying the art of antiquity and classicism were granted leeway in depicting the gods and heroes of ancient Greece and Rome in the Greek and Roman fashion. However, in order to make contemporary study of the male form, artists had to have a religious reason to create images showing male anatomy. Hence, scenes portraying the crucifixion with Christ stripped to a loin cloth, or David stripped down to combat the giant David, or the soldier-martyr Saint Sebastian stripped down to be executed by archers became common subjects. This is not to say, however, that they did not also have pious and catechetical reasons for their creation, but social restrictions were one factor for the popularity of these subjects.Artwork Details
Medium
Paper, Stone chalk and sanguineCollection
Archabbey-European Prints and DrawingsCataloged By
ChristopherAcquisition
Accession
1887.113Acquisition Method
Found in CollectionMade/Created
Date made
1600 - 1700Notes
Date: 17th Century
Artist's School: German
Technique: DrawingInscription/Signature/Marks
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
DrawingNomenclature Class
ArtNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
SaintsSearch Terms
Graphite, Colored Pencil, Paper, Drawing, Saints, Saint Sebastian, St. Sebastian, Graphite, Colored Pencil, Paper, DrawingOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
A34Dimensions
Height
8-7/8 inWidth
14-7/8 inDimension Notes
irregular
Image Size: 8.875 x 14.875 irregularAccessories
Notes
Frame: N/A (not framed, matted)Location
Location
Drawer
D-KCabinet
1Room
Print RoomBuilding
Carey Hall- GalleryCategory
PermanentDate
February 9, 2025Location
Drawer
10Room
Print RoomBuilding
Carey Hall - Saint Vincent GalleryCategory
PermanentLocation
Drawer
D-KRoom
Print RoomBuilding
Carey Hall - Saint Vincent GalleryCategory
PermanentLocation
Drawer
D-KRoom
Print RoomBuilding
Carey Hall - GalleryCategory
PermanentCondition
Overall Condition
FairDate Examined
Aug 7, 2007Examined By
ChristopherProvenance
Notes
Collected By: Boniface Wimmer
Possibly collected by Wimmer during his travels.General Notes
Note
Tag Date: 2008-08-04 07:54:45.999000
Tag Notes: To be given to Ann Sutherland Harris for expert appraisal.
Notes: Ann Sutherland Haris remarks "Quite nice really" June 5, 2012
This drawing has been ripped with the bottom half, and perhaps more risqué portion, missing. This is not an isolated occurrence found in the Saint Vincent Art Collections. Many nude studies in the collection have been torn or cut, signs of obvious censorship of the nudity in various drawings. Oral tradition at Saint Vincent tells of this censorship, but there have been no written accounts found. This past year, an alumnus from the 1940s wrote and told his version of the account, which agrees with the oral tradition. It appears that a group of prudish monks in the 1920s or '30s decided that the nudity found in the art collection must be destroyed to preserve the morals of young students. Drawings were ripped and cut in two and the offending parts placed in a fire. Paintings from the collection were also targeted, and according to one account, the painting of David Holding the Head of Goliath from the circle of Johann Loth was rescued from the top of the bonfire when the censors were stopped.
Status: OK
Status By: Christopher
Status Date: 2007-08-07Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
August 7, 2007Updated By
admin@catalogit.appUpdate Date
February 11, 2025