The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 19, 2025
Saint Sebastian
c. 1776
(Irish, 1741–1806)
Platemark: 27.7 x 18.5 cm (10 7/8 x 7 5/16 in.); Sheet: 28.4 x 19.3 cm (11 3/16 x 7 5/8 in.)
Catalogue raisonné: Pressly (1981), p. 265, no. 2
Location: Not on view
Description
Irish artist James Barry made drawings from the works of Michelangelo and other masters while in Rome between 1765 and 1771, at a time when studying from Renaissance masters in Italy was central to artistic training. The muscular body and twisting position of Saint Sebastian—who was martyred for his faith by being shot with arrows—recall Michelangelo’s dynamic male nudes. This is the only known impression of this print. Printed by Barry himself, it demonstrates his experimentation with soft-ground etching to imitate the effect of chalk drawing.- Wehn, James. “Acquisition Highlights 2016: Prints.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 57, no. 2 (March/April 2017): 22-23. Reproduced: P. 22; Mentioned: P. 22, 23 archive.org
- Master/Apprentice: Imitation and Inspiration in the Renaissance. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 13, 2019-February 23, 2020).Recent Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 17-June 7, 2018).The Cleveland Museum of Art (03/17/2018-06/06/2018): "Recent Acquisitions 2014-2017"
- {{cite web|title=Saint Sebastian|url=false|author=James Barry|year=c. 1776|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2016.297