This painting by Gerard de Lairesse depicts Saint Anthony the Hermit in an allegorical manner, illustrating his role as a caretaker for those afflicted with leprosy and those considered mentally simple in society. In religious and cultural tradition, Saint Anthony was known as a patron saint for people suffering from skin diseases such as leprosy, as well as for the poor and the marginalized. The allegorical scene emphasizes compassion and care for society’s most vulnerable, a key theme associated with Saint Anthony throughout medieval and early modern Europe.
