Texas: Not Just Cowboy Art
When I first moved to Texas in 2009, I figured that local museums would mainly feature paintings with cowboys, Indians and longhorns, especially in Fort Worth since that Texas city claims to be, “where the west begins.”
Only Michelangelo Painting in the Western Hemisphere
So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that north Texas museums have well-rounded collections featuring a wide variety of art – from ancient times up through the present. Fort Worth, in fact, is home to the only Michelangelo painting in the western hemisphere!
The painting, filled with fascinating-yet-creepy creatures, was painted by Michelangelo Buonarotti around 1487 or 1488, when was only 12 or 13 years old. It’s called the Torment of Saint Anthony and was inspired from an engraving by Martin Schongauer.
Michelangelo did more than just copy Schongauer’s engraving. He added interesting anatomical details, such as fish scales, to the demonic creatures pestering the saint.
Michelangelo, of course, is famous more for his sculptures (such as the Pieta and David) than his paintings. He is only known to have created four paintings in his lifetime.
The Torment of Saint Anthony now hangs in the Kimbell Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas. It’s in the viewing area that is free to the public. If you are ever in Fort Worth, Texas check it out.
More A to Z blog posts
This was my post for the letter T of the A to Z blogging challenge. Tune in tomorrow to see what quirky Texan thing the letter U will bring!
In the meantime, click on this link to find out what all the other A to Z blogging challenge folks are posting. There are so many great blogs out there to read and enjoy!
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
[…] The photo at the top of this post, however, DOES depict St. Anthony of Egypt. What makes it unique, however, is that it is the only Michelangelo painting in the western hemisphere. To top it off, he painted it as a teenager! (For more about the Michelangelo painting, visit this post: The Torment of St. Anthony in Fort Worth, Texas.) […]
I would love to see that painting. Unfortunately, I’ve only ever driven through Fort Worth a couple of times. Never stopped. That may change :)
Hi Carol,
Oh, yeah! Fort Worth is a fun little town. The Stockyards is fun, they have a great botanical garden, museums, and (my fave) the Water Gardens downtown. Lots to see and do.
~Tui
Wowzers, that’s a scary painting for a 12 year old to paint!
Hi Rebeccah,
Well, he was copying some German dude’s engraving, so he had a head start on the creepy imagery.
~Tui
If I remember from art history in high school, Michelangelo only signed six pieces of art he created. Those were the ones he deemed worthy of God. The Pieta is one.
Hi Patricia!
My high school cut the art program by the time I showed up, so what little I know about art comes from my first husband being an artist and all the great books he had. (My high school also quit teaching Latin the year I arrived – grr!)
Anyway, thanks for that tidbit! I recently saw the Pieta in person. It’s an amazing sculpture.
~Tui