Saint Sebastian tied to a tree pierced by arrows

Art Historical Context

This engraving by the Master of the Die depicts Saint Sebastian, the early Christian martyr, bound to a tree and pierced by arrows—a subject that resonated deeply in Renaissance Europe as a symbol of faith, endurance, and protection against plague. Active in Rome between 1530 and 1560, the artist remains anonymous but is identified by his distinctive use of a die-shaped monogram. His small-scale prints often drew from designs by Raphael and his circle, translating grand compositions into intimate devotional images. As an engraving, the work exemplifies how printmaking democratized religious a...

About the Artist

Master of the Die · 1525–1560

**Master of the Die** (fl. 1525–1560) was an anonymous Italian engraver and printmaker active primarily in Rome during the mid-16th century. Named for the distinctive small die he used to sign his prints—a tiny emblematic mark that became his moniker—this elusive artist remains unidentified despite scholarly proposals linking him to figures like Benedetto Verino, Giovanni Francesco Zabello, Tommas...