Explore the Saint Sebastian about the Description of this artwork.
The right-hand panel shows a traditional Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, although in this case the saint is depicted in a rather contorted position. This may be derived from Michelangelo's Punishment of Aman on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, or from Raphael's Fire in the Borgo also in the Vatican. The saint's arms are tied to a tree trunk at different heights; the legs are also differently articulated because Sebastian's right foot rests on a section of a fallen stone column. 
It has been suggested that the saint's face resembles that of the risen Christ in the central panel. Some resemblance has also been claimed to Titian himself; he was 30-years-old at the time.In the background of this panel is an announcing angel. His gaze is directed towards Sebastian and to Saint Roch whom she is attending: prayers to both saints were invoked as a protection against the plague, and Roch's uncovered legs show the characteristic lesions.
Two preparatory drawings of the panel exist: one (16.2 x 13.6 cm) is at the Kupferstichkabinett in Berlin, and another (18.3 x 11.5 cm) is in the Städel in Frankfurt.
Frankfurt Raphael Michelangelo Sistine Chapel ceiling Städel Titian Saint Sebastian Kupferstichkabinett Saint Roch