Artwork Page for The Temptation of St. Anthony

Details / Information for The Temptation of St. Anthony

The Temptation of St. Anthony

19th century

Julien Léopold Boilly

(French, 1796–1874)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
Black chalk with white, pink, orange, ochre, and brown chalks on blue paper
Measurements
Sheet: 28.6 x 32.7 cm (11 1/4 x 12 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Muriel Butkin 2018.42
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Boilly’s scene represents the Temptations of Saint Anthony, a biblical subject. While embarking on his desert pilgrimage through Egypt, Anthony experienced a series of supernatural trials. Here, Boilly illustrated a nude nymph attempting to seduce him. Anthony’s horrified reaction to the woman’s embrace and the prominent crucifix on the right create a humorous juxtaposition between piety and lustful desire.
A chalk drawing on blue paper depicts a nude woman embracing St. Anthony, both with light skin tones. On our left, the woman leans over him with pink highlights marking her skin. Wearing a brown hooded robe, St. Anthony recoils to our right with his mouth open and hands raised, palms facing outward. A wooden cross stands in the background to our right against the blue paper.

The Temptation of St. Anthony

19th century

Julien Léopold Boilly

(French, 1796–1874)
France, 19th century

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