Bilder Johannes Sadeler I (1550–1600) – The Hermit Bruno in Prayer – Copperplate engraving (16th Century)

Beskrivning

This detailed Mannerist engraving depicts the hermit Bruno kneeling in prayer within a rugged, rock-hewn shelter. The saint is shown in a monastic habit, his hands clasped in deep devotion before a small altar holding a crucifix, a statue of the Virgin and Child, and an open devotional book. The interior of the cave is meticulously rendered, featuring a jagged stone roof and scattered religious objects on the floor. In the background, a sprawling mountainous landscape unfolds, dotted with a small church and several rustic woodland huts, symbolizing the Carthusian community's remote dwellings. The composition utilizes a sophisticated perspective and fine cross-hatching to emphasize the solitude and spiritual rigor of the eremitic life. 

Johannes Sadeler I was a preeminent Flemish engraver and a key member of the Sadeler family, who established one of the most successful print-publishing houses in 16th-century Europe. After training in Brussels and Antwerp, Sadeler traveled extensively through Germany and Italy, eventually settling in Venice. He was renowned for his technical virtuosity and his role as a court engraver, specializing in religious subjects and allegories based on designs by contemporary masters like Marten de Vos. His prolific output played a crucial role in disseminating the artistic styles of the Northern Renaissance and Mannerism, particularly through his celebrated series documenting the lives of desert fathers and forest hermits.

Artist or Maker: Johannes Sadeler I

Dimensions: Approximately 23 cm x 29 cm

Medium: Copperplate engraving

Date: 16th Century

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.