H. Antonius toont op vijfjarige leeftijd zijn kennis van de Evangeliën 1598

This engraving, created in 1598 by Italian artist Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630), depicts the story of Saint Anthony of Padua, a 13th-century Franciscan friar, as a child. The scene illustrates a biblical event where Anthony, despite his young age, displays exceptional knowledge of the Gospels, surprising learned men. Tempesta’s detailed composition showcases the scene in two parts. The upper section depicts Anthony surrounded by scholars in a grand hall, while the lower part portrays him engaging in a lively discussion with a group of men. The engraving, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum, is a fine example of the Italian Renaissance tradition of representing religious narratives through art.