Artwork
The Temptation of St Anthony
The Temptation of St Anthony is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The Temptation of St Anthony is a painting depicting a dramatic scene from Christian tradition. It was originally the central panel of a triptych.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows Saint Anthony kneeling in prayer, surrounded by a half-naked woman and fantastical creatures. A city burns in the background, possibly representing hell or the turmoil in Anthony's mind.
Technique & Style
The artwork employs chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a dramatic atmosphere. The creatures surrounding Anthony are rendered in a fantastical and unsettling manner.
Context
The painting is part of a tradition of artworks depicting the temptation of Saint Anthony, with various artists interpreting the scene in different ways.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
