Devil Tempting St. Anthony 

This etching, "Devil Tempting St. Anthony," depicts a scene from the life of the Christian saint, St. Anthony the Great. Created by Dutch painter Herman van Swanevelt (1603-1655), the work is a dramatic portrayal of St. Anthony's temptation by a devilish figure in the form of a goat-like creature. The dense, shadowed forest setting amplifies the sense of isolation and the unsettling nature of the encounter. The composition, a hallmark of Swanevelt's work, emphasizes the deep shadows, luminous light, and natural landscape, echoing the influence of classical Italian art. The etching's subject matter, the narrative of St. Anthony's struggle against temptation, has resonated with audiences for centuries, making it a powerful and enduring work.