Today in the Roman calendar it is the "optional memorial" of St. Sebastian. "Optional memorial" means that a Mass may or may not be said honoring him, depending on the whim of the priest. As I wrote in my first blog entry:
"St. Sebastian was converted while a member of the Praetorian Guard, and had apparently lived as a closeted Christian member of the guard for some time. He suffered arrows at the emperor's command only to survive long enough so that he could be dispatched by beating. His body was thrown into a latrine, and was later fished out by Christian friends who buried it.
St. Sebastian was much beloved in the ancient world, was the subject of veneration by St. Ambrose and the Milanese - Sebastian was born near Nimes in present-day France from Milanese parents. Sebastian was a favorite subject of painters in the medieval, renaissance and baroque eras. A causal search of internet images reveals both works of extraordinary artistic merit, and a clear homoerotic aspect to many of the artworks. Arguably, the artists worked out, and still are working out, their own religious and homosexual feelings and gay sensibilities in how they treated their subject. Sebastian is the patron of soldiers and athletes."
5 comments:
Sending you warmest wishes and blessings on the Feast of St. Sebastian.
God bless you with His peace - Mark
Why do you think it is, Sebastian, that St. Sebastian is portrayed "homoerotically" and not some other saints? I really haven't studied the iconography enough to form a conjecture here.
I am not sure. But even late medieval and renaissance portrayals have him with less clothing than usual. I suppose the sight of arrows going into his flesh are more dramatic that way. I'm also interested in how many statues and paintings of him there are, especially originating in Italy.
It would be interesting to ask a contemporary gay artist why he or she chose St. Sebastian as a subject and not another saint. By the way, the picture that I originally posted here was taken down by 'the authorities,' probably because of copyright issues. It is by a Texas artist, and you can see it at www.davidsweeneyart.com
I did see it, a bit modern for my taste, but very interesting how the body is mingled with the tree.
I always find the image disturbing but also compelling.
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