"Triptych of Temptation of St Anthony"

Hieronymus Bosch - Oil
The Temptation of St. Anthony is an oil painting on wood panels. The centre panel measures 131.5 by 119 cm, and the wings measure 131.5 by 53 cm. The painting currently hangs in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, in Lisbon. A copy by a follower of Bosch can be found in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, and another version in the Prado Museum in Madrid. A third copy of what once was believed to be the original, now labeled by University of Pennsylvania art historian, Larry Silver, as a 16th century copy, is owned by the Barnes Foundation, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Symbolism tells the story of Anthony's mental and spiritual torments throughout. On the right panel, Anthony attempts to look at the viewer, but his gaze becomes fixed on a table surrounded with curious creatures partaking in sin. The center panel, though, exemplifies Bosch's attraction to the saintly ability of refusing temptation. Anthony kneels at an altar with his hand in the gesture of blessing, yet pointing at a miniature Christ, and views back to the viewer. The Devil-Queen, other various temptations, and physical abuse are no match for his devotion, Bosch's most optimistic subject.