Temptation of Saint Anthony of Egypt
Unknown Artist
c. 1400s
Medium
stone
Dimensions
46.4 × 38.6 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Accession Number
1938.168
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Saint Anthony (AD 251–356) was a Christian monk from Egypt, revered since his death as a saint. Many of his tales are conveyed in the Golden Legend, a classic work of the Middle Ages containing lively tales of saints’ miracles written in a simple style for a wide audience. This scene illustrates the supernatural temptation faced by Saint Anthony during his retreat to the Egyptian desert. The saint is being tempted by hideous demons, which he resisted.