The Temptation of Saint Anthony
Swabia, 1532
Colorless glass, silver stain, vitreous paint; Diam. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
The Cloisters, New York City, 1982.433.5
Wearing the habit of the Antonine order, St. Anthony Abbot is assailed by demons in the form of various monsters. It is conventional to call such images the "Temptation" of St. Anthony, but in the Golden Legend the demons attack him after he has overcome temptation.
St. Anthony's left hand holds his attributes: the tau-top staff and the bell. The inscription in the circular frame gives the date as 1532 and identifies the kneeling figure as the donor, Martinus Widman Pfarrer Cappel, "Martin Widman, parish vicar of Cappel." Right of Widman is his coat of arms.
At 5 o'clock just inside the border is the date, 1532.
Read more about images of St. Anthony Abbot.
Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City