Who painted St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils?

St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils was painted by Master FVB in 1488.

Where can I see St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils?

St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils?

St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils

Master FVB , 1488

St. Anthony Tormented by the Devils is a print by the Renaissance artist Master FVB. It dates from 1488 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1488, this copperplate engraving portrays Saint Anthony confronting a horde of demonic figures.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1488, this copperplate engraving portrays Saint Anthony confronting a horde of demonic figures. The anonymous early Netherlandish artist known as Master FVB rendered the scene with intricate line work, emphasizing the saint’s resolve amid the surrounding chaos. The piece is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates a popular late‑medieval theme: Saint Anthony’s spiritual trial against the devil’s temptations. By showing the saint surrounded by aggressive, contorted demons, the work visualizes the saint’s endurance of suffering and his steadfast faith, a moral exemplar for contemporary viewers.

Technique & Style

The engraving displays a dense network of hatching and cross‑hatching that creates a strong contrast of light and shadow, lending depth to the figures. Its compositional complexity and attention to anatomical detail reflect the influence of early Netherlandish painters such as Dieric Bouts, while the delicate line quality recalls the work of Martin Schongauer.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the anonymous Master FVB, an engraver active in the Low Countries between roughly 1480 and 1500, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century. Scholarly references, including those by Arthur M. Hind, have linked the piece to the broader network of Netherlandish printmaking of the period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Master FVB

Master FVB (active c. 1480 — 1500) was an anonymous early Netherlandish engraver. According to one tradition, the artist is identical to Franz von Bocholt, but there seems to be no evidence to support such a…