Saint Sebastian, stone, France late 15th century.

A moving stone statue of Saint Sebastian, carved in the round.
France, probably Picardy, late 15th c. Height: 1.01 m.
Martyred in Rome in the late 3rd c., he was commander of the Praetorian Guard under Diocletian. The emperor discovered that he was a Christian, had him arrested and condemned him to be pierced with arrows by two soldiers. Treated by Irene, he was later stoned to death.
He is a military saint, like Martin and Maurice, and his cult spread throughout the Middle Ages. He is the third patron saint of Rome after Peter and Paul, and also patron saint of gunsmiths. He is also invoked against plague and epilepsy.
Lacking the left arm, a broken branch on the side.