Bilder Abraham Bosse (1602–1676) – Saint Meinrad of Einsiedeln – Engraving (1630–1650)

Beskrivning

This engraving depicts the martyrdom of Saint Meinrad, a ninth-century hermit, who is shown lying prostrate on the ground after being attacked by two travelers whom he had welcomed into his woodland cell. The composition features the saint in the foreground, dressed in simple monastic robes, while his small wooden hermitage stands nearby, containing a lit candle and religious icons. In the background, the two assailants are depicted fleeing across a wooden bridge over a river, pursued by two ravens that, according to hagiographic tradition, followed the murderers to bring them to justice. The rugged alpine landscape, filled with jagged mountains and dense coniferous trees, is rendered with precise linear work to create a somber atmosphere. This illustration served as a devotional print intended to provide a visual meditation on the virtues of hospitality and the divine retribution associated with the life of the saint.

Abraham Bosse was a celebrated French artist, printmaker, and theoretician who became one of the most significant figures in seventeenth-century graphic arts. He was particularly known for his meticulous depictions of contemporary life, fashion, and professions, as well as his technical mastery of etching and engraving. Bosse was a professor at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and published influential treatises on perspective and the art of engraving. His work is noted for its high level of detail, clarity of line, and the ability to capture complex social and architectural environments with mathematical precision. His vast body of work remains a primary visual source for the cultural and social history of the French Baroque period.

Artist or Maker: Abraham Bosse .

Dimensions: Approximately 23 cm x 29 cm .

Medium: Engraving .

Date: 1630–1650

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.