Landscape with the Temptation of Saint Anthony

Roelandt Savery’s Landscape with the Temptation of Saint Anthony places a small, troubled saint inside a world that feels far larger than him. The scene is filled with strange creatures, twisted shapes, and dense foliage, all crowding around Anthony as he tries to hold onto his faith. Savery blends the real and the imaginary, creating a wilderness that feels both beautiful and unsettling. The contrast between the quiet figure and the chaotic surroundings suggests how inner struggles can feel overwhelming, even when no one else can see them.

Savery was part of the early Dutch fascination with fantastical animals, and you can spot many invented species hidden around the canvas. He painted this during a period when artists were exploring the edges of the known world, and his creatures reflect the curiosity and unease of that time.