RARE Saint Anthony French Illuminated Monastery Work Panel

Rich in religious symbolism, this panel commemorates Saint Anthony. Unframed, it is a unique, hand painted panel (on thick paper) which was executed in the late 1700's within a monastery (Champagne region) of France. The subject of St. Anthony is unusual for this type of painting and would have been commissioned.

A learned hermit, Saint Anthony is depicted in calm concentration with a book in hand. A calf (representing a desire to know more about God) is pictured gazing upward at the heavens, at his left side. His is positioned between two columns with festoons of roses surrounding and in baskets. Above his head is the "Eye of Providence" which rests in a sea blue field. The arabesques are painted in gilt leaf. A type of hand made "stamp" print is used for the fern leaves throughout the design.

The paper has been heavily painted with gesso, to give the beautiful painted design a rich and thick background field. It is worked in the style of illuminated manuscripts. The painted designs are rich in hues of French blue, deep green, grey, mustard and deep green. In the center is an octagon medallion (4 1/2" x 3 1/4") portrait of Saint Antoine, a popular person of devotion in the 18th century (as he is now).

The panel measures: 13 1/4" x 8 1/4". It is in amazing condition in consideration of the age: darkening to top edge and left corner, a bend to the bottom right corner, small piece missing top right edge. The colors are amazingly fresh bright and the entire design is still intact.