Saint Sebastian, San Sebastiano by Raphael Poster

Raphael - Saint Sebastian, 1501-1502. Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael (1483-1520), was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. Saint Sebastian was an early Christian saint and martyr. According to traditional belief, he was killed during the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians. He was initially tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows, though this did not kill him. He was, according to tradition, rescued and healed by Saint Irene of Rome, which became a popular subject in 17th-century painting. In all versions of the story, shortly after his recovery he went to Diocletian to warn him about his sins, and as a result was clubbed to death. He is venerated in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.