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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Chapelle Saint-Sébastien is a Catholic chapel located in the commune of Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Built between 1485 and 1490, it is a typical example of late medieval religious architecture in the region. Its quadrangular plan and its larch shingle roof, covered by two slopes, are characteristic of the buildings of this period. The western facade, protected by an overflowing roof, houses a remarkable mural depicting a Virgin of Mercy surrounded by angels and a Christ of the Vision of Saint Gregory.

The chapel was erected on the edge of the agglomeration to serve as a spiritual bulwark against plague outbreaks, a recurrent scourge in the Middle Ages. His murals, both interior and exterior, also date from the late 15th century. An on-site inscription mentions the names of the two painters responsible for the works: Jean Canavesio and Jean Baleison. These artistic and historical elements led to its classification as historical monuments on March 27, 2000.

The frescoes of the chapel Saint Sebastian illustrate the importance of religious art in the Alpes-Maritimes at the end of the Middle Ages. The primitive painters of Nice, including Canavesio and Baleison, marked this period with works combining local influences and Italian styles. The chapel, owned by the commune, remains a valuable testimony of popular devotion and artistic techniques of the time, while providing an overview of social beliefs and practices related to disease protection.

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