The Temptations of Saint Anthony
1650
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
The Temptations of Saint Anthony is a 1650 by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.
This photo shows a dimly lit room with four people huddled around a man reading an open book. The man has a long white beard and wears a robe. Next to him, a woman in a white headscarf holds a glass, while two children sit nearby, one with a book. On the table are a clay jug and a candle. The walls are rough, and a bat hangs from the ceiling. The scene looks like it’s meant to be unsettling, with shadows and strange details like the bat and the dark corner. The lighting focuses on the man’s face, making the rest of the room feel eerie. This photo uses chiaroscuro, a technique that plays with strong light and dark contrasts.
