The Devil Attacking the Window (detail from St. Anthony the Hermit from the Isenheim Altarpiece) 1516

This is a detail from Matthias Grünewald's depiction of the torments of Saint Anthony, part of the Isenheim Altarpiece. Created in the early 16th century, it reflects a society grappling with disease and death, as well as the complex relationship between faith and suffering. Here, a grotesque demon attacks the saint. The devil’s monstrous form and the violence of the assault reflect not just spiritual struggle, but also the very real agonies faced by those afflicted with illnesses like ergotism, known then as Saint Anthony's Fire. Grünewald, working in a time of stark social hierarchy, uses these intense images to explore the body as a site of pain, redemption, and transcendence. The emotional intensity of the work also served to give voice to the powerless. This section of the altarpiece, with its vivid portrayal of suffering, speaks to the vulnerability of the human condition. It asks us to confront the nature of pain, both physical and spiritual.