H. Antonius in verleiding gebracht door een zilveren schotel 1598

Here is Antonio Tempesta’s engraving, “H. Antonius in verleiding gebracht door een zilveren schotel,” or “St. Anthony tempted by a silver platter." It was made sometime between 1555 and 1630. Tempesta’s depiction of Saint Anthony being tempted is set against the backdrop of the Counter-Reformation. The era's heightened religious fervor sought to reaffirm the power and sanctity of the Church. Yet, images of temptation also spoke to a very human struggle with faith. Here, the story unfolds as a complex landscape of morality. Anthony is confronted with earthly desires, represented by the silver platter offered by the devil. The scene raises questions about the price of piety. What does it cost a man to deny himself pleasure and comfort? The emotional intensity of this internal struggle is palpable. We are invited to reflect on our own battles with temptation. The work serves as a reminder of the constant negotiation between spiritual devotion and human desire. This negotiation continues to shape our identities and actions today.