ST SEBASTIAN

Brief description: St Sebastian (1949), a stained glass panel by Geoffrey Clarke

Saint Sebastian (1949) demonstrates both ClarkeÂ’s semi-abstract approach to figurative work and his interest in experimenting with materials. Saint Sebastian (d.288) was an early Christian martyr who is thought to have been killed during the Roman emperor DiocletianÂ’s persecution of Christians. As common in art and literature, Saint Sebastian is depicted in this panel tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows. The small glass panel is set within a wooden frame with apex, and appears like a Byzantine icon. Clarke had much interest in subjects engaging with issues of faith and religion. The contorted figure of Saint Sebastian represents an existential anxiety around the human figure present in much of ClarkeÂ’s sculpture and stained glass, as also seen in Saint Anthony. Saint Sebastian also demonstrates ClarkeÂ’s glass-painting techniques. The glass panel is heavily painted with layers of matt paint to impart a dark, aged effect, through which colour glows in the polished areas. Clarke has plated the traditional leaded and painted stained glass panel with sheets of glass on either side. This layering effect contributes to the appearance of the panel as an icon or relic.

Object type: stained glass panel

Number of objects: 1

Production date: 1949

Production period: 20th century, mid

Designer: Geoffrey Clarke (1925 - 2014)

Dimensions: Height: 400 mm, Width: 255 mm

Acquisition: purchase 27.1.2014

Acquisition source: Clarke, Geoffrey

Accession number: ELYGM:2014.4