14. Fra Angelico, St. Anthony Shunning the Mass of Gold
You’re walking through the desert of your life and you happen upon a heap of gold. Knowing all the fairy tales about the temptation of wealth, what do you do? In this wonderful little Renaissance painting by Fra Angelico, St. Anthony of the Desert recoils from an admittedly rather forlorn-looking blob of gold, placed by the Devil to tempt him. Run, St. Anthony, run to the church (or these days, the museum)—you won’t find contaminating money there!! That lesson may not resonate in 21st-century America, but the notion that the world is full of snares and traps is evergreen.
This post is part of MFAH 100, a series featuring works from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in honor of its 100th birthday. 100 words on 100 works in 100 days. For details and to adjust subscription settings, click here.
Have a piece you’d like me to consider? Leave a comment—I can’t promise I’ll include it but I will give it a serious look!
I watched the movie “Leprechaun” in college, so I know that Anthony chose wisely.
Thank you, I loved this....and I think you tell the story maybe even better than the art. Ah, the story...we need the stories! Thank you...