The Corinthian capital on the central column, the broken pier with reliefs of Mars and an eagle, and the pier at left with equestrian groups around an image of Venus are all ancient motifs Moderno encountered in Rome. Originally from Verona, Moderno combined this monumental classicism of Rome with his Northern Italian roots, particularly the interest in humanism he absorbed at the court of Renaissance Ferrara. Despite the torture of arrows piercing Saint Sebastian's body, the strong musculature and graceful twist of his seminude body reflect the Renaissance ideals of beauty befitting a holy martyr.