Restored in 2024 with funding from Patricia Nagy Olsen.

The sculpture rests on a molded shelf and is inserted into a niche carved into the wall directly above the portal that connects the sacristy to the church, which is currently being restored by Save Venice. Dating to approximately the second half of the 16th century, the statue depicts God the Father in Majesty enthroned, with the right hand raised upwards in a gesture of blessing and the left holding an orb surmounted by a cross. Also known as the globus cruciger, the cross laid over the globe has represented God’s dominion over the world since the Middle Ages. Upon closer inspection, the statue reveals the curious detail of a young head protruding from the left side of the throne. It is likely that this head depicts that of a seraphim, the caretakers of God’s throne: beings who enjoy direct communication with God and hold the highest rank in Christian angelology.

Conservation treatment removed the disfiguring layer of dirt and grime that obscured the details of the sculpture and niche.

Unidentified artist
God the Father in Majesty
1550-1600, stone
75 x 55 x 32 cm

Salomon, Xavier, Davide Gasparotto, Gabriele Matino, and Melissa Conn. The Church of San Sebastiano in Venice: A Guide, Venice: Marsilio, 2024