Il "Sebastiano" di A. e P. Pollaiuolo

Speranza



For Pollaiuolo's chief concern was with anatomical study of man in violent states of body and mind. The six archers surround the martyr in a full circle, and it is their taut sinews and muscular strains, their athletic weight and exertion whicdh occupied all the painter's attention.

The foe foreshortened figure of the bending archer on the left in his doublet of crimson velvet, the sculptured reality of his stunted shape, is expressive of great physical power.

The nude man by his die is shown in the reverse position, while the two framing archers in luminous blue and pale green, strain every nerve of arm and face as they aim at their vicdtim.

Sebastian, though lacerated by arrows, is not represented in agony, but yearning heavenward, whence help is to come to the protagonist of faith.

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