The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 20, 2025

The Temptation of St. Anthony

19th century

Julien Léopold Boilly

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

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.
  • {{cite web|title=The Temptation of St. Anthony|url=false|author=Julien Léopold Boilly|year=19th century|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.42