Commentary:
Simone Cantarini (Pesaro 1612-1648 Verona) started training at a young age, and under multiple artists including Giovanni Giacomo Pandolfi, and Claudio Ridolfi (a student of Paolo Veronese). In 1629, Ridolfi left Pesaro, leaving Cantarini to pursue studies on his own, pieces by Carracci, Barrocci, Orazio Gentileschi, and Giovan Francesco Guerrieri (1589-1657). It wasn’t until the arrival of Madonna and Child with Saints Thomas and Jerome by Guido Reni in the then Pesaro Cathedral, was Cantarini truly inspired. Cantarini then traveled to study other works by Reni, and by then had adopted Reni’s style, gaining commissions such as Saint Peter Curing a Lame Man. It is this adoption of style that the two’s work then gets mistaken for the other in instances of identification. In 1634/1635, Cantarini finally arrived in Bologna to study under Reni. Not too long after his arrival, Cantarini’s pride upset the temper of his master, Guido Reni, by refusing to use his skills to propagate Reni’s work; claiming his skills are equally meritorious, and therefore should stand alone. The duo fully severed ties in 1637, Cantarini lost favor with former masters, and lost all commission prospects. In 1642, Cantarini returned to Bologna after Guido Reni’s death, and started his own studio. The studio proved to be successful and Cantarini stayed in Bologna until his death in 1648. Cantarini, while adopting Reni’s style, is still distinguishable in his own right.

Saint Sebastian, a third century Christian saint and martyr. Educated in Milan, and then joined up with the Roman Army. Due to his great service, he was promoted to the Praetorian Guard under Emperor Diocletian. While serving, he was found out to be Christian, and had been converting his fellow soldiers. Diocletian ordered him killed by Mauritanian Archers, as depicted above by Cantarini (before the arrows struck). Saint Sebastian survived the arrow assault, Diocletian again ordered for him to be killed via capture then beaten.

Saint Sebastian is now hallowed in the Roman Catholic Churches and the Orthodox Churches. He has also been deemed the patron saint of archers, soldiers, and athletes; and saves people against the plague. There is also a church in Italy dedicated to him, with Christian catacombs beneath.

Cantarini is also known as il Pesarese, Simon Cantarini, and Simone da Pesaro. JB