The second view of the altar. St Anthony Visiting St Paul the Hermit in the Desert (left), The Temptation of St. Anthony (right). Central part are carved figures of St. August, St. Anthony, St. Jerome; bottom part Jesus with 12 Apostles. 1515

Matthias Grünewald's altarpiece presents a striking contrast between the tranquility of divine encounter and the chaos of temptation. The artwork uses a mixed media approach with both painting and sculpture to create depth and meaning. On the left panel, observe the calm meeting of St. Anthony and St. Paul, painted with a measured cadence in cool tones, offering respite from the turbulent imagery. The right panel shows a cacophony of monstrous figures and tormented bodies. Here, Grünewald uses a dynamic and expressive style in darker tones. The sculptural work creates a central harmonic core by employing a different textural language that plays with light. The figures are rendered with a different sense of volume and presence. By juxtaposing these panels, Grünewald explores a deeper semiotic dialogue: the dichotomy between spiritual serenity and existential struggle, reflecting the era's complex religious and philosophical tensions. This is not just art; it's a discourse on the human condition, rendered in form and symbol.