JACQUES CALLOT (1592–1635) - AFTER

Painting on parchment. This painting was inspired by the 1634 engraving by the famous French draftsman and engraver Jacques Callot. His works were primarily anti-war in spirit as evidenced, for example, by his Disasters of War series. He had a particular talent for observation and an unbridled character. From 1608 to 1622, he lived in Italy, where he captured the lives of gypsies, beggars, and the like. The Temptation of St. Anthony has always been a favorite subject, because it offered the opportunity to portray infernal beings and demons. The primary written source of the theme is “Vita Antonio” by Athanasios of Alexandria (about 300-373 AD), as well as others. According to tradition, St. Anthony was tempted by the false notion of family warmth, visions of sexual pleasure, and wealth - everything that was not consistent with the ascetic way of life. When these temptations failed to work on Anthony, Satan sent his demons to cause him unbearable suffering. Among the most famous works of this theme are the triptych by Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516), now in the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, and the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald (1470-1528) in the Musée Unterlinden in Colmar.