Saint Anthony Tormented by Demons, ca. 1470

Blatt: 311 x 227 mm

Physical Description: Engraving

Inventory Number: 33744

Object Number: 33744 D

Acquisition: Acquired in 1861

Status: Can be presented in the study room of the Graphische Sammlung (special opening hours)

Texts

About the Work

During his time as a hermit in the desert, Saint Anthony (according to legend AD 251–356) was reportedly beset by demons. Schongauer depicts him quietly submitting to the ordeal, encircled by diabolical hybrids of fantasy and inventively combined observations of nature. Anthony was the patron saint against ergotism, a widespread disease caused by fungus-infested grain. In Isenheim near Colmar, the Order of Saint Anthony ran a monastery and a hospital for persons suffering from this condition.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Saint Anthony Tormented by Demons

Artist

Martin Schongauer

Period Produced

15th century

Object Type

art print

Physical Description: Engraving

Material

Vergé paper

Technique

copperplate engraving

Geographic Reference

German

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Monogrammiert in der Platte unten mittig: M+S [S punziert]

Captions Added Later: Verso bezeichnet (mit Bleistift): B. 47 / ffe [?]
Verso unten links Stempel des Städelschen Kunstinstituts, Frankfurt am Main (Lugt 2356), mit zugehöriger Inventarnummer

Watermark

Kleiner Ochsenkopf mit Stange und Stern

Work Catalogues

Hollstein German XLIX.132.54 II (von II)
TIB Bd. 8 Commentary, Nr. 0801.054
Lehrs V.243.54 (⁎⁎⁎) II (von II)
Bartsch VI.140.47

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Department of Prints and Drawings

Collection

Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 1861

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Saint Anthony Abbot

Associated Persons and Institutions

Illustrated Passage

Die Legenda aurea des Jacobus de Voragine, übersetzt von Richard Benz, Heidelberg 1984, S. 122

Iconclass

Primary

11H(ANTONY ABBOT)6(+4) the hermit Antony Abbot (Antonius Abbas) of Egypt, also called the Great; possible attributes: bell, book, T-shaped staff, flames, pig - martyrdom, suffering, misfortune, death of male saint (+ devil(s))
11K31 devils in purely fantasy shape
31A2763 floating in the air

Secondary