Saint Anthony the Great as a hermit

Saint Anthony the Great is depicted here as a young hermit in the desert while he writes in his book with his gaze directed at a crucifix. He is accompanied by a pig and on the ground lies another attribute, a bell. Generally this saint was depicted in his role as a hermit as an old man with a beard. In this case, however, under the monk's robe at the bare knees a powerful young body is visible.