Saint Anthony the Abbot

about 1510–1515

Medium

Glazed terracotta

Dimensions

133.9 × 84.4 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-237300

This life-size sculpture depicts Saint Anthony (251-356), a Christian hermit who practiced asceticism – abstinence from worldly pleasures through strict self-denial – in the Egyptian desert. Known for withstanding demonic temptations while living in solitude, he became a role model for hermit monks following his example, acquiring the title “Abbot.” Dressed in a boldly colored yellow and black habit, the saint is represented seated, gesturing a blessing with his right hand while holding a book in his left. At his feet is a “cinta senese” piglet, a breed of small pigs native to the Tuscany region in Italy. It signifies Anthony’s status as the patron saint of domestic animals, butchers, farmers, and basket makers and is one of his chief attributes (identifying features). The sculpture’s size and downward gaze suggest that it once adorned a wall, possibly of a church or a hospital, most likely placed in a niche at a high position. Due to its large scale, the figure had to be fired in four parts: the base up to the saint’s knees, his torso, the head and shoulders, and the halo. It was crafted by Andrea della Robbia (1435–1525), the most important representative of the Della Robbi…