The Temptation of St. Anthony
1850
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1850
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The painting shows a nude nymph trying to seduce Saint Anthony. He's horrified by her touch. A crucifix on the right adds to the scene. The story behind this painting is interesting. Saint Anthony was a desert pilgrim who faced many supernatural trials. This scene shows one of those trials, where he's tempted by a woman. You can learn more about this style by looking at the technique of sfumato.
