Saint Anthony Abbot Tempted by Gold 

Lo Scheggia's "Saint Anthony Abbot Tempted by Gold" presents us with a cultural artifact reflecting 15th-century values around wealth and spiritual devotion. Anthony, a desert monk, stands amidst a rugged landscape, a visual metaphor for his isolated, ascetic life, as he rejects the allure of earthly riches, symbolized by the gold at his feet. This small painting is rich in symbolism; Anthony's black cloak and staff mark him as a figure of religious authority, while the book he holds signifies wisdom and faith. The very act of depicting Anthony's temptation speaks to a societal preoccupation with morality and the struggle against sin. What does it mean to resist the seduction of wealth and embrace a life of poverty and piety? Ultimately, the painting invites reflection on the viewer's own values, challenging us to consider the cost of material gain versus spiritual fulfillment, and to examine the stories we tell ourselves about what it means to live a good life.