Artwork
Saint Anthony
Saint Anthony is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work titled Saint Anthony depicts the saint known as Anthony the Great, a central figure in early Christian monastic tradition.
The work titled Saint Anthony depicts the saint known as Anthony the Great, a central figure in early Christian monastic tradition. Painted in 1480, it serves as a devotional image that emphasizes the saint’s sanctity and the theme of spiritual protection.
The painting measures 15.8 cm in height and 10.8 cm in width and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, acquired through the Robert Lehman bequest.
Its religious context reflects the veneration of the saint within the artistic practice of the period.
History & Provenance
The painting Saint Anthony is dated to 1480 based on internal documentation and the Wikidata record for the work.
The painting entered the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of the Robert Lehman Collection, a bequest accepted in 1975. The Met’s Wikidata entry lists Robert Lehman as the owner at the time of the work’s inception, indicating the painting’s provenance prior to its acquisition by the museum.
The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it entered the collection through the Robert Lehman bequest.
It has been accessioned as part of the Robert Lehman Collection with the inventory number 1975.1.122. The work has not been recorded in the museum’s exhibition history according to available records.
Overview
This painting, titled "Saint Anthony," presents a solitary male figure, identified as the saint, seated on the ground. He is depicted holding a staff and an open book, dressed in a brown robe and hat, with a distinct white beard. A pig, a traditional attribute, is visible in the lower left.
The setting is a rocky landscape with trees under a blue sky, rendered in a style that recalls medieval artistic traditions.
Technique & Style
The painting's aesthetic qualities evoke the visual language of medieval illuminated manuscripts. It features intricate details and a palette of vibrant colors, contributing to its distinctive appearance. The artist's skillful manipulation of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, lending a tangible quality to the saint and his natural environment within the composition.
Artist & collection
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