St Sebastian Succoured by Two Angels

This work belongs to Guercino's pioneering early works which show a fresh spontaneity. There is also a painting of this subject in the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum in Berlin. It has become evident that this work must be the prime original and the Berlin work is a respectable workshop copy. It is also thought that the body of the saint in this painting could well reflect Guercino's studies from the living nude made in the Casa Fabri (Professor David Stone). This work was acquired with the help of the Art Fund grant and an additional donation of £10,000 from Sir Denis Mahon, made through the Art Fund.