Thesis: Michaelangelo’s The Torment of St. Anthony serves to convey the story of St. Anthony and the demons to the general public and reflects the rediscovery of classical texts and their influence on Renaissance culture.
During the Italian Renaissance, much of the artwork focused on figures important to Christianity such as Madonna, Jesus, and David, as well as on mythological figures such as Venus and Mars. The subjects of these artworks reflect the emphasis on classical philosophy and religion at the time, the “symmetry between the presence of classical motifs in Renaissance art and the influence of antique sources” (Stowell).
In the case of The Torment of St. Anthony, the story of the main figure originates from the early writings of Athanasius of Alexandria (“The Life”). The Egyptian is highly regarded among Roman Catholics as a Doctor of the Church (Chapman). His writings on St. Anthony include a section on St. Anthony’s time spent fighting off demons and beasts while remaining faithful to Christ. Due to the fact that many people were illiterate during the …show more content…
Anthony are the method Michelangelo uses effectively tells the story of St. Anthony through a visual medium. The focal point of the image is the circular grouping of demons surrounding a man. The man is positioned centrally in the canvas, drawing the viewers’ attention since otherwise his figure appears somewhat overshadowed by the demons that surround him. The deep-green clothing of St. Anthony is the darkest hue in the painting, making his face, hair, and halo stand out from the drab sky and the dark beasts. His white hair provides a connotation of age and wisdom, making St. Anthony a person to be revered. The fact that Michelangelo has placed the man in midair makes St. Anthony’s actions appear extraordinary and suggests that his ability to remain suspended in midair may even stem from his unwavering belief in Christ, even in the face of these
During the Italian Renaissance, much of the artwork focused on figures important to Christianity such as Madonna, Jesus, and David, as well as on mythological figures such as Venus and Mars. The subjects of these artworks reflect the emphasis on classical philosophy and religion at the time, the “symmetry between the presence of classical motifs in Renaissance art and the influence of antique sources” (Stowell).
In the case of The Torment of St. Anthony, the story of the main figure originates from the early writings of Athanasius of Alexandria (“The Life”). The Egyptian is highly regarded among Roman Catholics as a Doctor of the Church (Chapman). His writings on St. Anthony include a section on St. Anthony’s time spent fighting off demons and beasts while remaining faithful to Christ. Due to the fact that many people were illiterate during the …show more content…
Anthony are the method Michelangelo uses effectively tells the story of St. Anthony through a visual medium. The focal point of the image is the circular grouping of demons surrounding a man. The man is positioned centrally in the canvas, drawing the viewers’ attention since otherwise his figure appears somewhat overshadowed by the demons that surround him. The deep-green clothing of St. Anthony is the darkest hue in the painting, making his face, hair, and halo stand out from the drab sky and the dark beasts. His white hair provides a connotation of age and wisdom, making St. Anthony a person to be revered. The fact that Michelangelo has placed the man in midair makes St. Anthony’s actions appear extraordinary and suggests that his ability to remain suspended in midair may even stem from his unwavering belief in Christ, even in the face of these