Saint Sebastian Tied to a Tree (reverse copy)

Saint Sebastian Tied to a Tree (reverse copy) by Albrecht Dürer is an influential engraving housed in the comprehensive prints collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created sometime between 1485 and 1600, this piece derives its composition from an earlier, highly acclaimed print by Dürer. The classification as an engraving indicates its production via the intaglio printmaking method, a meticulous process utilizing incised lines on a metal plate, which enabled the widespread dissemination of detailed imagery throughout Europe during the German Renaissance.

The subject matter depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, a popular figure of Christian devotion often revered for his physical suffering and endurance of faith. The composition focuses on the moment of his execution, showing the saint bound against the rugged texture of trees, his body peppered by the arrows of his tormentors. The depiction of his suffering is central to the narrative, using the visual symbols of the arrows to convey the immense pain endured by the martyr. Dürer’s original design was instrumental in shaping the visual iconography of the early modern period, showcasing the artist’s mastery of the human form even when executed in the exacting medium of the print.

As a copy reflecting a major work by Dürer, this print highlights the importance of replication in the early printmaking market, where demand often outstripped the supply of original plates. The Metropolitan Museum of Art maintains this important example of 15th- and 16th-century prints, ensuring the continuation of Dürer’s artistic legacy. Due to the age of the original masterwork, high-resolution images of comparable prints are often found available through public domain collections.