Unidentified Religious Scene (Temptation of Saint Anthony?); verso: Study of two flowers c. 1894

Editor: This is Lovis Corinth’s “Unidentified Religious Scene (Temptation of Saint Anthony?),” a drawing. It's quite striking, depicting a figure in what appears to be a moment of intense conflict. How do you interpret this work through a historical lens? Curator: Corinth, working at a time of immense social upheaval, often challenged societal norms through his art. This piece, though seemingly religious, can be viewed as a commentary on the power dynamics between the sacred and the profane, and how these intersect with gender and desire. Notice the figure of Saint Anthony and his ambiguous relationship with the woman. Editor: Ambiguous in what way? Curator: Is she a tempter, or a symbol of the very desires he’s fighting? Corinth highlights the internal conflict, making it a reflection on power, gender, and the human condition within a changing society. Editor: That really shifts my perspective; I'm going to look at this with fresh eyes now. Curator: Exactly! It shows the layers of meaning embedded in art when we consider its historical and social context.