The Temptation of Christ (Duccio)

During his forty days fasting in the wilderness, Christ was tempted by the Devil, who led him to a high mountain, offered him all the kingdoms of the world, and was refused: Get thee hence, Satan (Matthew 4:8-11). Duccio shows the black, bat-winged Devil beside Christ, the kingdoms clustered as little walled cities across the slopes, and two angels waiting to attend him. From the back of the Siena Maesta and now in New York, the panel pits a single commanding gesture against the spread of earthly temptation, rendered as miniature, gold-edged towns.