Antonio Aleotti (Argenta, doc. from 1494 - Cesena, 1527) - Tempera on wood; cm 208 x 170
The painting was carried out in 1510 by Antonio Aleotti. It was commissioned by the Hospital of Saint Antonio in Cesena but, later, after the closure of the hospital church, it was left abandoned in a warehouse and used as a wheat container hole covering.
In the middle of the picture there is the Virgin sitting on a throne with Jesus; on the right there is Abbot Saint Anthony who is reading. Next to him there is a pig, while behind the saint there is a tempting demon, who has the devil's features. To the left of the throne the Michael Archangel is dressed in decorated armour. He is killing, (using his spear), another tempting demon, represented as a perfidious face with human features.
The architecture in the painting is characterised by grotesques. The style of the artist is similar to that of Raffaello.
The author's signature and also the date of the work of art can be read on inscribed the throne: ANTONIVS ARGENTINIVS MCX
and another inscription REGINA/ CELI/ REVERENTER/ ADORA/ QVIS QS HANC SPECTAS
.