Saint Antony abbot’s and Isidoro Agricola’s altar

This work by G.F.Nagli better known as the Centino, has always been object of peasant devotion thanks to the presence of the two saints protectors of animals and crops.
Saint Antony abbot was born in Egypt in 251. He Leads a solitary life in the abandoned fort of Pispir, where he gets over the temptations of the devil. Though his ascetic life, he has a great deal of disciples and intervenes in some important problems of the Church, in support of the Christians persecuted by Massimino Daia and the confutation of Arian doctrine. He is usually dressed like an hermit and accompanied by an animal.
Saint Isidoro Agricola, represented in peasant dresses with rural tools, is the protector of farmers and labourers. Born poor, but very devoted, he bears the envies of his companions who accused him to dedicate too much time to prayers. The story tells that once the land owner ,for whom he worked, claimed the delivery of all the crop and forbade him to pray during the working days, but God multiplied the corn remained in his granary.
Some more information
Protector of farmers and labourers , he was born in Madrid in the years 1070.In another episode, two angels worked the field instead of him allowing Ignatius to pray. He died in 1130, May 15th, and was canonized in 1622,March 12th, by pope Gregory XV. His remains are kept in the Madrid church of S.Andrew
The Centino
The presence of G. F. Nagli known as the Centino, so known for his origins in Cento, is documented in Rimini from1639 to 1675. Together with Guido Cagnacci, he was one of the most important artists of painting in Rimini of XVII century.
For the churches in Rimini he realizes many altar pieces, among which the Annunciation of Saint Fortunato and the saint Bishop, today kept in the town gallery of Rimini.
He receives the influences from Reni through the mediation of the works left in Rimini and the Marche’s territory of the Cantarini.
The Centino’s painting shows the humanity simple and popular of the sacred characters, put in the center of the landscape environment, with evocative mood.