“The Torment of Saint Anthony” is an Early Renaissance religious painting created around 1487 by Michelangelo in Florence, Italy. The artwork, measuring 47 x 35 cm, is executed using oil, panel, and tempera. It is currently housed in the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX, US.
In this artwork, Saint Anthony is depicted as being tormented by a gruesome array of demons. The saint stands at the center, garbed in a dark, plain robe, his face showing a serene expression of endurance. Surrounding him are vividly detailed and grotesque demons, each featuring a monstrous array of wings, claws, and fangs. These devilish figures clutch at him from all sides, creating a chaotic and turbulent visual effect. The background contrasts this chaotic scene with a serene landscape illuminated by soft light, featuring distant hills and a calm water body, suggesting both the physical and spiritual trials of Saint Anthony amidst an otherworldly assault.
