The Temptation Of Saint Benedict With A Demon Disguised As A Lady, Franco-flemish, 17th Century

The Temptation of Saint Benedict with a Demon Disguised as a Lady, Franco-Flemish, 17th Century

Oil on canvas.
Mid-17th century.
Franco-Flemish school.
101 × 74.5 cm unframed.
119 × 94 cm framed.
Relined.
Good condition.

A rare representation of the Temptation of Saint Benedict, an episode recounted by Saint Gregory the Great in the Dialogues. The saint, recognizable by his monastic tonsure, is shown almost nude, lying among brambles after removing his habit in order to resist carnal temptation.

Before him appears the demon under the guise of an elegantly dressed lady. Only a few details reveal her true nature: the small horns and, above all, the goat’s legs visible beneath her long skirt. The contrast between the refined appearance of the woman and her demonic attributes is one of the most striking features of the composition.

The lady’s costume, with its broad flat white collar, fitted bodice, layered sleeves and large black bows decorating the dress, together with the style of the saint’s moustache, supports a dating to the mid-17th century.

The scene is set in a broad tree-lined park laid out in regular rows. In the distance at left, the faint outline of a castle or country residence can be seen. The ordered landscape, costume and general character of the composition suggest a painter working in a Franco-Flemish milieu.

Beside the saint lies his dark monastic habit. In the foreground appears a chalice from which a serpent emerges, an allusion to the miracle of the poisoned wine intended for Saint Benedict. According to tradition, the saint made the sign of the cross over the poisoned cup, which then shattered. This additional iconographic attribute further confirms the identification of the figure as Saint Benedict of Nursia.

The painting is presented in an imposing solid-wood frame dating from the late 19th century, monumental in character and well proportioned to the work.