The devil tempted Saint Anthony in many different ways: as a black child, as a group of women who incited him to sin, as a colossal giant, etc. In this work, several of the saint's attributes are seen, which in the figure of Antonio García Villarán take on another meaning. The javelin resting at his feet is, according to "The Golden Legend," an animal that he showed to his son, without eyes or legs, to the saint, and the saint restored them. In this way, the javelin was always at his side. In the painting, this animal represents the strength necessary to face all the projects Villarán undertakes, and the boar skull resting next to it represents his finished projects. The temptations are shown in the form of three figures wearing rabbit masks. They are disturbing and symbolize the good and bad thoughts that haunt him. We can also find Villarán's head half-buried in the ground, as the demons beat Saint Anthony so badly that they left him for dead, and when they were about to bury him, he came back to life. The pomegranate tree brings to mind both the idea of a forbidden fruit and a nutritious one. The black child demon treads on a book whose cover reads "The Book of Art," the artist's "Bible."
Technique: Oil
Support: Canvas
Measurements: 195 x 130 cm
Date of completion: December 2021
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Care
Avoid direct sunlight. Preferably place in a cool, dry place.
