Standing Position

As indicated above, the body of St. Sebastian may assume a number of generalized stances: 1) relaxed and standing straight (samabhangasana), 2) contraposto with three variations, 3) striding, or 4) writhing.

1) The samabhangasana⁴ position, as noted above, occurs infrequently and is, indeed, the rarest of the stances. It is depicted in the Anonymous Swiss Master (1380) (See: Figure 51) in the St. Sebastian, Giovanni de Campis (XV^th Century) (See: Figure 27) also St. Sebastian, and the Master of the Holy Kindred (b. 1513) (See: Figure 52) St. Sebastian, and The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian by Biagio Manzoni (b. 1618) (See: Figure 53). With the exception of the latter two, the martyr-saint in this position is frequently shown alone.

⁴ Samabhangasana is a stance, or asana associated with Hindu icinography,, in which the feet are generally together, the legs straight and the body is in perpendicular alignment to the legs.