Saint Anthony the Abbot
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Saint Anthony the Abbot” now? Collection: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. Not on view at present. Checked October 7, 2026.
Los Angeles, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the sculpture
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).
Read on
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 Robbia family in Florence. Nephew of Luca della Robbia (1400–1482), famous for having perfected an innovative glazing process for terracotta statues, Andrea expanded the production of the workshop. The inexpensive and readily available clay as well as the brilliant and durable surface made the artworks particularly suitable for devotional practices and outdoor presentation. This led to many commissions for Andrea’s workshop to execute the decoration of convents and churches, such as this sculpture.
J. Paul Getty Museum
Details
- Accession number
- 2025.33
In the catalog
Sources
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- Image: J. Paul Getty Museum — Open Content
