De verzoeking van de heilige Antonius c. 1860 - 1900

Johannes Arnoldus Boland created this small monochrome print, “The Temptation of Saint Anthony,” using etching. The composition is intensely concentrated, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that bristles with dark energy. A stark contrast between light and shadow heightens the grotesque details. Boland uses line work to construct a phantasmagoric vision, densely populating the frame with grotesque figures that press in from the shadowy edges. Look at how the textured hatching and cross-hatching not only describe form but also evoke a psychological landscape. This visual strategy destabilizes traditional religious iconography, and the grotesque becomes a signifier of internal turmoil. The asymmetry of the cave reinforces a sense of imbalance and unease, leading to a re-evaluation of established spiritual and moral values. As such, Boland encourages a critical perspective on the power of faith. This etching captures a moment of destabilization, mirroring philosophical and cultural shifts in the understanding of morality and spirituality.