2-361-717 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Martyrdom of St Sebastian, 15th century (1956). Detail from the predella of 'Madonna and Child Enthroned' by Carlo Crivelli. Sebastian was born in Gaul and was a member of the Emperor Diocletian's Praetorian Guard. As a Christian he was sentenced to be executed by archers. He was left for dead but was nursed back to health. When Diocletian discovered that Sebastian was still alive, he ordered that he be clubbed to death. A print from Things, a volume about the origin and early history of many things, common and less common, essential and inessential, by Readers Union, the Grosvenor Press, London, 1956.