Saint Sebastian - wood carving late 16th century

Saint Sebastian is depicted here in a classical pose, tied to a tree and pierced by arrows, symbolising his martyrdom. His gentle, serene expression illustrates the saint's resignation and faith. The proportions and details (muscles, folds of clothing, facial expression) suggest that it belongs to a Renaissance sculptural tradition.
This sculpture is typical of 16th-century devotional religious works, and was probably made for private chapels or wealthy patrons. The use of walnut, a wood prized for its strength and finesse, confirms the quality of this piece. The style is sober and not overly ornate, which may indicate a Northern or Central European provenance, for example Germany, Flanders or Switzerland. These regions produced remarkable religious wood carvings in the 15th and 16th centuries.