November 13, 2020
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H1_78eLjaB8
The trial of St. Anthony the Great (251-356 CE) as described in the writings of St. Athanasius life and the middle ages golden legendhas been a favorite subject for Western artists since the Middle Ages. Anthony, a desert monk, was frequently attacked by Satan. When Satan couldn’t win through normal temptations, he sent demons in the form of wild beasts, beautiful women, soldiers, and even monks to torment and distract the desert priest.
Artists have long been fascinated by these episodes and found in them an opportunity to create the most outlandish feats of imagination. In this episode, Catholic art historian Elisabeth Leff traces the development of this artistic subject since the Middle Ages, with particular attention to the visionary works of Hieronymus Bosch. From Bosch we move forward through the centuries to modern times, where the theme was taken up again, but perhaps not in the most enlightened spirit.
This podcast (the YouTube version includes images of the painting) spends the first 40 minutes or so introducing the story of St. Consider the depiction. It then opens with increasingly complex depictions of Anthony’s Satanic Trials, starting with Bosch, examining various early modern variations, and exploring the nightmarish (but spiritually distinct) visions of Max Ernst and Salvador Dali. It ends with
link
ZIP file containing all paintings shown in the video
https://www.catholicculture.org/images/commentary/anthonypaintings.zip
Elizabeth Leff How Catholic Art Saved the Faith
https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/how-catholic-art-saved-the-faith
saint athanasius audiobook Saint Anthony’s life
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-athanasius-life-st-anthony-full/
The life and achievements of St. Anthony as one of the Fathers of the Church
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/anthony-desert-solitary-celebrity/
Elizabeth Leff https://www.Elizabeth-Lev.com
Koin – Catholic event planning app http://www.meetkoin.com
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