Saint Sebastian, for his beliefs in Christianity was stripped naked, tied to a tree, shot with arrows, and left for dead. Painting by Harold Stevenson.
Saint Sebastian (c. AD 256 – 288) promoted Christianity during the time of the Roman Empire. For his beliefs he was stripped naked, tied to a tree, and shot with arrows by order of the Roman Emperor in AD 286. Left for dead, he was discovered by Irene of Rome and nursed back to health. Once recovered, he sought out the Emperor and openly criticized him for the persecution of Christians. This time, Sebastian was beaten to death.
Sebastian’s story of courage, dedication, and strength were attributed his being crowned a saint of martyrdom in the year 288, in Rome, Italy.
During the 14th century, the Bubonic Plague, or Black Death, ravaged Europe. It killed 75 million people. At the time, people were unaware as to how the disease was transmitted. They likened it to being shot with an arrow, by the army of nature’s archers. They prayed to the saint of archers for relief from the deadly pandemic.1, 2 As Coronavirus frightens society, we invoke upon St. Sebastian to be our protector.
One of the more notable paintings of Saint Sebastian by Sodoma IId is t the Galleria Palatina in Florence Italy. Sodoma II mostly painted in Siena Italy. Stevenson lived in Italy. He mostly studied Saint Sebastian for inspiration.
Stevenson lives and works in Italy
In 1955, Stevenson lived briefly in Italy and painted Cathedral Maria Ascension, Siena Italy; Archeological Site, Paestum Italy; and Fontane dei Mostri Marini (sea monster fountains), in Florence Italy.
Stevenson exhibit, March 10 – June 7, 2020
Art in Community: The Harold Stevenson Collections is currently on exhibit at the Museum of the Red River, Idabel OK. USA.
Sources: Catholic Saint Medals.com, Catholic.org/saints, and Paolo O. Pirlo, Paolo O. 1997. St. Sebastian. Holy Mary Immaculate Quality Catholic Publications: Parañaque City, Philippines.