© Soprintendenza alla GNAM


Name of Object:

The Temptations of Saint Antony

Name in original language:

Le tentazioni di Sant'Antonio

Location:

Rome, Italy

Holding Institution:

National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM)

 About MIBACT | National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM), Rome

Holding Institution (original language):

Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM)

Date of Object:

1878

Author:

Domenico Morelli (1823, Naples-1901, Naples)

Inventory Number:

inv. 989

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

137 x 225 cm

Provenance:

Italy

Description:

The painting by Domenico Morelli shown at the Universal Exposition in Paris, it’s among the artist’s most complex artworks. Both realistic and symbolic elements characterise the painting, as well as a strong mystic, but at the same time erotic, tension. Inspired by La Tentation de Saint-Antoine by Gustave Flaubert from 1874, the painting shows realism in the imaginary setting influenced by oriental elements. The work was finished in 1878 and sent to the French merchant Goupil to be shown at the Universal Exposition in Paris. It was also presented at the National Exposition in Turin in 1880 and completely misunderstood by contemporaries who blamed Morelli for having resigned to make fashionable art.
A smaller version of it was painted by the artist while making a lot of preparatory drawings in which Saint Anthony is standing next to the rock wall. In the final version the Saint is seated on the ground trying to resist the temptations embodied by the two half-naked women on the left.

Additional Copyright Information:

Copyright image: Soprintendenza alla Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea.

Citation of this web page:

Marina Minozzi "The Temptations of Saint Antony" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;it;161;en

Prepared by: Marina Minozzi
Copyedited by: Anne Dowell

MWNF Working Number: IT2 019

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