Saint Anthony Tormented by Demons

Artist: Martin Schongauer

Media: Engraving; second state

Date: ca. 1470-75

Dimensions: Cut to image: 12 1/4 in. x 9 in.

“Saint Anthony gazes serenely out at the viewer as frenzied demons grab at his limbs, clothes, and hair and pound him with sticks. Schongauer depicted these imagined creatures in a remarkably convincing way. His realistic description of their scales and fur point to his direct observation of animals, yet he compiled these naturalistic details to produce some of the most fantastic and grotesque fabrications in the history of printmaking. Although this is one of Schongauer's earliest prints, it was probably his most influential: Vasari recounted that even Michelangelo made a color drawing of the work at the age of thirteen.” Metropolitan Museum of Art

Martin Schongauer was born around 1450. Little is actually know about Martin but he was widely celebrated for his ability to engrave and more so for his paintings. He learned to engrave from local goldsmiths and mixed it with draftsmanship and painters eye. He created 115 engravings; many today are still considered important sources of European art. He died in 1491.

           
The theme of demons was best illustrated in this engraving. This is another piece that I enjoy for its use of visualizing demons when nobody really knew what a demon would look like. It struck fear into humanity which then leads them to being more faithful to their church. The engraving also reiterated the importance of trusting Gods word. Saint Anthony did just that against the demons and finally triumphed instead of giving in to their temptations.