Giovanni Antonio Bazzi, known as Sodoma (Vercelli 1477 – Siena 1549) Follower of
Saint Sebastian
Oil on canvas (94 x 67 cm - Framed 114 x 87 cm)
Complete details of the work (click HERE)
The painting under examination depicts an intense portrait of Saint Sebastian immortalized at the moment of his martyrdom, following the death sentence inflicted on him by Diocletian. The evident quality of the painting and the stylistic traits that define it suggest the authorship of a talented painter from the Tuscan area of the early seventeenth century, close to the circle of the master Giovanni Antonio Bazzi (Vercelli 1477 – Siena 1549).
Giovanni Antonio Bazzi, known as Sodoma, was one of the most original painters of the sixteenth century: he was born in Vercelli, trained in the workshop of Giovanni Martino Spanzotti, then moved to Milan at a young age where he met the Leonardeschi and finally, around 1501 he arrived in Siena, which became his adopted city and where he carried out most of his career.
He was an artist of great talent and with a very identifying pictorial style, which was able to merge the Leonardesque influence with the Sienese school and early mannerism: our author has been able to reproduce his style here with great mastery, especially his strong realism and the component of pathos, which will become one of the most characteristic elements of his stylistic imprint.
The attention to the realistic data of the physiognomy and emotions, the skillful use of light and shadow, the profound knowledge and re-elaboration of the models of Italian Renaissance painting are the characteristics that we find in our beautiful Saint Sebastian.
The scene, faithful to the classic iconography, portrays him tied to a tree and pierced by two arrows, one near the neck and one in the chest. The expression that transpires from his face is of great emotional impact, with his eyes open and turned upwards and his lips slightly parted
The Saint is in fact idealized in a youthful beauty, from which his state of ecstasy shines through, transmitting to the viewer an example of absolute devotion and faith: his representation transcends physical pain and elevates him to a figure of spiritual triumph.
We can find evident points of contact with ‘The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian’, created by Giovanni Antonio Bazzi around 1525 and now in Florence at the Uffizi Collection (https://www.uffizi.it/opere/stendardo-san-sebastiano).
There is no doubt that at first glance our author is indebted to Sodoma's work, drawing on the same luminous and chromatic modeling of the figure. As in Sodoma's San Sebastiano, in our case too the protagonist is portrayed in the foreground with a luminous and delicately chiaroscuro painting.
From the aforementioned work, he then takes up the beam of light (in our painting the angel offering the crown of martyrdom does not appear) towards which the Saint's gaze is directed and which at the same time illuminates his complexion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The painting is sold complete with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
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