Life of St Benedict, Scene 8. Benedict is Tempted (detail) 1508

Il Sodoma painted this fresco, "Life of St. Benedict, Scene 8: Benedict is Tempted," capturing a moment of intense internal struggle. Here, Benedict lies nearly nude, a symbol of vulnerability, wrestling with temptation in the wilderness. The act of resisting temptation has been depicted in art across centuries, with figures from the Buddha to countless saints and ascetics facing similar trials. Consider the gesture of the raised hand – a universal signal of rejection, of pushing away. The same gesture can be found in ancient depictions of virtuous heroes or gods rejecting vice. The theme of temptation and resistance touches upon our collective subconscious, and embodies the eternal human struggle between desire and discipline. This fresco reminds us that such battles are timeless, and that even saints faced inner turmoil.