The Torment of Saint Anthony is Michelangelo’s first painting and is currently being displayed at the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth. Michelangelo’s painting was created with egg tempera and oil on a wooden panel. Egg tempera is a fast drying paint, which can give an artist less time to change strokes after they have been made.
The painting has a glossy look with some areas that are a little more matte. The painting consists of Saint Anthony in the foreground, which is positioned towards the top center of the canvas. St. Anthony is surrounded by demons while below them is a gloomy landscape of hilly countryside with a waterway, which covers the other half of the canvas. These images create balance through out the canvas. There is also rhythm with the repetition of the demons surrounding St. Anthony. This circle surrounding St. Anthony may represent the never-ending struggle with temptation. The demons around St.
Anthony create a sense of tension in the painting. St. Anthony and the demons are the images with the most emphasis, which implies that they are the focal point of the painting.There are implied lines resulting from the demons gaze burning into the image of St. Anthony. While St. Anthony’s eyes are unchanged not affected by the demons wrath. The strokes that make up the images seem to have all kinds of direction and are short and distinct. The lines that were made can also be attributed to the type of paint used. The shapes in the work are organic but do contrast in the sense of fury up above compared to the calm that is rendered below. In regards to size of individuals, some of the demons are as big or bigger than St. Anthony and they out number him nine to one. Though St. Anthony’s size is not overpowering those of the demons he seems very proud and sure of his actions, while the demons look frustrated.
The sky is almost completely blanketed by the struggle that takes place up above. The larger image of St. Anthony and the demons in the foreground show aerial perspective when compared to the distant land below. The layering of St. Anthony and the demons with the landscape behind gives depth to the painting.
A source of light seems to be coming from the background and the horizon. This light source is natural and seems to lightly and gradually cast shadow as it reaches the foreground. This shadowing creates more boldness in the foreground, which also adds to the depth of the imaging. This also puts more emphasis on St. Anthony and the demons.The colors that dominate in the foreground are black, reds and browns, which make up St. Anthony and the demons. Below cooler colors are used to make up the scenery below. This also helps contrast the rage above compared to the tranquility below with the use of warm and cool colors, which also make up atmospheric perspective.Overall this painting has seemed to stand the test of time and was restored beautifully.
ResourcesThe Kimbell Art Museum websitehttps://www.kimbellart.org/exhibitions/exhibition-details.aspx?eid=69
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