St. Anthony Preaching to the Fishes
Artist: Gerard David (Netherlandish, ca. 1460-1523)
Date: about 1500-1510
Dimensions:
H: 21 7/8 in. (55.6 cm); W: 12 13/16 in. (32.6 cm)
Medium: Oil on wood panel
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1959.23
Label Text:Active in Bruges (in present-day Belgium), Gerard David is recognized as one of the most important Netherlandish painters of the Renaissance. These panels formed part of a large altarpiece more than eight feet high known as The Saint Anne Altarpiece. The other panels today are in Washington, D.C., Edinburgh, and Chicago. Saint Anne with her daughter, the Virgin Mary, and the Christ Child occupied the central panel. Standing figures of Saints Nicholas and Anthony of Padua flanked the center, with three scenes under each saint depicting stories from his life. The Toledo panels show Saint Anthony, a member of the Franciscan order of monks who was known for his many miracles and compelling preaching. Left to right:
Anthony brings back to life a boy whose parents were accused of his murder. The revived child declares his parents’ innocence.
When citizens in the city of Rimini ignore his sermon, Anthony instead preaches to the fish, who listen attentively.
To convince a heretic of Christ’s presence in the sacrament of the Eucharist, Anthony offers Communion wafers to a starving mule, who immediately kneels before them.
Anthony brings back to life a boy whose parents were accused of his murder. The revived child declares his parents’ innocence.
When citizens in the city of Rimini ignore his sermon, Anthony instead preaches to the fish, who listen attentively.
To convince a heretic of Christ’s presence in the sacrament of the Eucharist, Anthony offers Communion wafers to a starving mule, who immediately kneels before them.
On view
In Collection(s)