Saint Sebastian

Francesco Botticini (Francesco di Giovanni)

Date unknown · Tempera and oil on wood · European Paintings

The picture was purchased as a work of Andrea del Castagno. The treatment of the landscape, however, is uncharacteristic of Castagno's work, as is the feebly constructed figure. The closest affinities of style are with works by Francesco Botticini (about 1446–97), who seems to have been active in the workshop of Verrocchio in the late 1460s. Although the picture has been dated as early as 1465, it seems to depend from a famous altarpiece by Botticelli of 1473–74 in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin-Dahlem. The picture has suffered considerable damage. In addition to a large loss running through the torso of the saint, the picture has been massively abraded through overcleaning. The form to the right of the saint is a pentimento.

Artist

Francesco Botticini (Francesco di Giovanni)

Date

Date unknown

Medium

Tempera and oil on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Gwynne Andrews, Rogers, and Harris Brisbane Dick Funds, 1948