Engraving of 158x324 mm. Signed lower right "'Callot Jn". Engraved on thick paper with an unidentified watermark with flower and jug. Bottom right, before Callot's signature, the inscription “P. Mariette le fils excud." Small abrasion of the paper at the top edge.
Very rare edition by Pierre Mariette II, unknown to Lieure. Filled with suspense and drama, this scene portrays the moment in which Saint Sebastian is bound to a stake to be shot at mercilessly from surrounding archers. This piece is remarkable for the sense of balance that Callot achieves within the composition; Sebastian rests at the center with an even amount of figures to his left and right, preparing to let their arrows fly.
Pierre Mariette II, 1634-1716, son of Pierre Mariette I, print dealer and publisher, the greatest publisher of the century, married Madeleine, the widow of François Langlois, in 1655, and managed the Langlois business at the 'Colonnes d'Hercules'. In 1657 settled at his father's address (rue st Jacques à l'Espérance) of which he owned a quarter, before buying all the remaining shares in 1663.