Who painted Temptation of Saint Anthony?

Temptation of Saint Anthony was painted by Johann Liss in 1624.

Where can I see Temptation of Saint Anthony?

Temptation of Saint Anthony is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Temptation of Saint Anthony?

Temptation of Saint Anthony is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Temptation of Saint Anthony

Johann Liss , 1624

Temptation of Saint Anthony is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Johann Liss. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Johann Liss depicts the saint amid symbolic temptations such as exotic animals and enigmatic figures, emphasizing themes of faith and divine perseverance.

The painting shows Saint Anthony resisting temptations in the desert, illustrating his spiritual struggle against worldly vices. Johann Liss depicts the saint amid symbolic temptations such as exotic animals and enigmatic figures, emphasizing themes of faith and divine perseverance. The work belongs to the religious genre and was created in 1624 for the Bavarian State Painting Collections, currently housed in the Alte Pinakothek.

History & Provenance

The Temptation of Saint Anthony by Johann Liss is dated 1624 and is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich.

The painting entered the collection as part of the holdings of the Wittelsbach dynasty, which formed the core of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

Johann Liss's painting, Temptation of Saint Anthony, is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The work is specifically located within the Alte Pinakothek museum in Munich. While the provided records confirm its institutional home, no specific inventory or accession number is listed in the available sources. The documentation does not contain information regarding the artwork's exhibition history or past display locations.

Overview

Johann Liss, a German painter who worked in Venice, completed the canvas Temptation of Saint Anthony in 1624. The work belongs to the early phase of the Italian Baroque and is now part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings.

Technique & Style

Liss employs a limited, chiaroscuro lighting scheme that isolates the central figures; the woman’s face and the cup emit a soft illumination against a dark background. The dramatic contrast and dynamic arrangement reflect the Baroque emphasis on movement and emotional intensity.

Context

Liss’s career bridged Northern and Italian artistic traditions, and this work illustrates his adaptation of Venetian coloristic richness to the vigorous narrative style favored by the Baroque. The subject of Saint Anthony’s temptations was a popular motif for artists exploring spiritual struggle.