THE TEMPTATION OF ST. ANTHONY // 1946 // OIL ON CANVAS // 89.7 X 119.5 CM // MUSEE ROYAUX DES BEAUX-ARTS, BRUSSELS
THIS PAINTING DEPICTS THE TEMPTATION SAINT ANTHONY THE GREAT FACED IN THE EGYPTIAN WEST DESERT IN THE THIRD CENTURY. HE RENOUNCED HIS POSSESSIONS TO LIVE ALONE AND TO STRENGTHEN HIS FAITH. HE REPEATEDLY PRAYED AS SATAN TEMPTED REPEATEDLY. IN THE PAINTING, A HORSE LEADS AN ADVANCING A PARADE OF ELEPHANTS, ALL LOOKING LIKE HIS FAMOUS ELEPHANTS. BELOW THEM, SAINT ANTHONY HOLDS A CROSS AND HAS A HUMAN SKULL AT HIS FEET. HE IS KNEELING IN SUBMISSION AND IS RISING HIS HAND TOWARDS THE PARADE OF TEMPTATION. IN THE FRONT LINES, THERE IS A WHITE HORSE, SYMBOLIZING STRENGTH, BUT IS FRIGHTENED BY SAINT ANTHONY