Demonic to Divine: The Centaur as a Christianizing Figure in Benedetto di Montagna’s "St. Anthony and the Centaur"

Authors

Trinity Martinez, Davidson CollegeFollow

Abstract

Benedetto di Montagna’s painting St. Anthony and the Centaur features the unprecedented image of a centaur clothed in monastic robes, while handling a set of rosary beads and engaging in a dialogue with the hermit. This study is the first to explore the iconographic intricacies of the painting, diverging from prior connoisseurship-focused discussions. The “Christianizing” centaur represents a significant departure from the traditional portrayals of such hybrid creatures. By depicting the pagan beast as a Christian convert, the painting introduces a novel iconographic theme within Renaissance art. This essay pursues two key aspects of the iconography: the centaur’s monkish appearance, and his dialogue with St. Anthony. Through a five-part analysis, including a review of the historical context of centaurs in art, examination of relevant hagiographic accounts, and comparison with other depictions of the episode, this article situates Benedetto’s work within the broader tradition of Renaissance iconography. Benedetto’s interventions humanize the hybrid beast, usually portrayed as an unruly, even demonic pagan figure. In doing so, Benedetto signals a turn in attitudes towards the pagan world.

Recommended Citation

Martinez, Trinity (2025) "Demonic to Divine: The Centaur as a Christianizing Figure in Benedetto di Montagna’s "St. Anthony and the Centaur"," Studies in Iconography: Vol. 46, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/studies_in_iconography/vol46/iss1/5