The artwork entitled “Anthony: Help me, O my God!” is the second plate from “The Temptation of Saint Anthony” series, created by Odilon Redon in 1896. This work of art is a lithograph on paper and forms part of the Symbolist movement, which Redon greatly contributed to. The genre of the artwork is religious painting, displaying themes and subjects often associated with spiritual introspection and the mystical experience.
The artwork presents a profound and enigmatic face, likely that of Saint Anthony, in profile. Sketched with a seemingly light hand, the intricate details convey a sense of depth and texture to the face and beard. The figure’s expression is solemn, evoking a sense of longing or supplication, which is reinforced by the inscription below, translating as “Saint Anthony – Help me, O my God!” This text adds a narrative and devotional dimension to the piece, underlining its religious significance. The background is rendered with heavier, more emphatic strokes, creating a contrast between the ethereal visage and the formless void behind it. This interplay of light and dark, solidity and void, may symbolize the spiritual turmoil and existential struggle embodied in Saint Anthony’s story of temptation and faith.
