St. Anthony the Hermit. 16th C Carved oak statue with traces of polychromy. -

St. Anthony the Hermit. 16th C Carved oak statue with traces of polychromy.

St. Anthony the Hermit. Carved oak statue with traces of polychromy. Widely represented in the Middle Ages, he is considered the father of monks. His remarkable ability to resist pain and temptation led him to be attributed with healing powers. His relics, transferred to the Viennese region in 1070, helped cure the ergot poisoning, also known as St. Anthony’s fire. This led to the creation of the oldest institution of hospital order : the Antonines.

With an emaciated face and long beard, barefoot, he wears the tunic of the Antonines. In his left hand, he holds the book of the Rule, on which a fire springs forth. At his feet is a pig, symbolizing those raised by the monks.

16th century.