This church in Campo San Sebastiano, hence its name, was rebuilt in the 1500s for the Gerolamini order in a simple, elegant Renaissance style.
It is believed the new church was designed by Antonio Abbondi of Milan (“Scarpagnino”), one of the leading architects in the early 1500s. The interior is one of the most interesting and harmonious of all the churches in Venice thanks also to its decoration by artists from Verona.

In 1555 a young painter, Paolo Caliari, who later became famous as “il Veronese”, was asked to paint and decorate the entire interior. His paintings are typically rich and full of light, the colours bright and the figures shown in luxurious costumes: of particular note are his "Scenes from the Life of Ester" (the legendary Persian queen) and his "St. Sebastian the Martyr".
The artist is buried in the tomb inside the church.

1500 - DORSODURO - rev. 0.1.7