“Temptations of Saint Anthony”
How about a little temptation for today?
This is the central panel of a triptych of an oil on oak panel painting by the Flemish artist of the Early Netherlandish Painting school, Hieronymus Bosch, titled “Temptations of Saint Anthony” from circa 1501.
In this central panel, Bosch depicts Saint Anthony, seen in blue. He is kneeling while being tormented by devils. Saint Anthony points to the inside of the ruined tower, where Jesus is standing beside a miniature of his crucifixion. Bosch further accentuates the scene by adding the four basic universal elements of water, fire, earth, and air.
The temptation of Saint Anthony in the Egyptian desert is a popular theme and was depicted by many artists. Saint Anthony is seen as a hero, standing alone against the earthly temptations of which he is able to resist. The devils are depicted as very bizarre creatures, in a realistic, almost surrealistic manner. This type of bizarre, fantastic imagery is what Bosch is famous for.
The depictions shown here are interpretations of demons as described in Flemish proverbs. Saint Anthony was one of Bosch’s favorite saints, for the torments he endured and never balked from. Prior biblical depictions often focused on more uplifting and positive depictions of the Virgin and Christ. Bosch, however, was inspired by darker imagery, such as those seen on gargoyles in church architecture or in prints of that day. In his later period, Bosch produced a standalone painting on the subject.
A triptych is a piece of art with three panels that are hinged together, often found in churches. Today, we know of sixteen triptychs that Bosch created, with eight still in existence. This one was created during Bosch’s middle period. It is one of the few pieces that was actually signed by him. This painting by Bosch was copied several times by other artists. We know of at least two copies that were made.
“Temptations of Saint Anthony” is currently on display at the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, Portugal.
For more on Hieronymus Bosch, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
