15th century painting illustration of Saint Sebastian interceding for the Plague Stricken by Josse Lieferinxe. On the ground, countless bodies of plague victims are being buried whilst the priest prays for them. Above them, Saint Sebastian is seen pleading to God (top right) for the plague victims. Saint Sebastian was a Roman officer who was killed by arrows. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, St Sebastian was associated the patron saint of plague victims. Christians believed then that the plague was sent down as a punishment from God.Below St Sebastian, an angel and devil fight in the sky. Painting dating from around 1497-1499.