The Temptation of Saint Anthony, ca. 1500-1510. Hieronymus Bosch. Oil on panel (oak). Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust.
This fragment of a larger composition depicts an episode from St. Anthony’s life. According to an early biography, the hermit saint retreated to the Egyptian desert to lead a life of prayer. For years, visions sent by the devil plagued him, but he remained steadfast in his faith. Here, several hybrid monsters taunt the saint. A spoon-billed figure sits at a floating table laden with food, while a fox-like creature balances an alcoholic beverage on its head. The saint, however, resists the urge to indulge in the food and drink offered to him.
