De verzoeking van de heilige Antonius (linker deel) 1605 - 1655

This print, "The Temptation of Saint Anthony", was made by Anton Meitingh around the mid-seventeenth century. It depicts the trials of Saint Anthony as he resisted temptation in the Egyptian desert. Meitingh’s print participates in a well-established tradition of representing the Saint’s trials. It references Hieronymus Bosch’s earlier treatment of the same subject, echoing his use of grotesque imagery and a chaotic composition to create meaning. Made in the Netherlands, it reflects a culture deeply invested in religious narratives and moral lessons. The Catholic Church played a central role in shaping artistic production through patronage and by dictating subject matter, but prints such as these often circulated outside the church. This image also comments on the period’s social structures, with a clear message about the dangers of succumbing to worldly desires. Was this art self-consciously conservative or progressive? To interpret this print more deeply, we might consult historical texts and theological interpretations. We would also look at the period’s artistic conventions, and at the political and religious contexts in which it was made.