Bilder Giovanni Merlo (active c. 1650), after – Saint Amatus in the Desert – engraving (17th Century)

Beskrivning

This engraving presents a religious scene depicting Saint Amatus kneeling in prayer within a rugged, mountainous landscape. The composition follows the hagiographical account of the saint's life as a hermit, showing him in a moment of spiritual devotion near a rocky cavern. In the background, a second figure is visible working a well or water wheel, while a bird is depicted in flight carrying a small object, likely referencing the divine sustenance provided to the saint during his isolation. The work is characterized by its dramatic use of line to define the craggy textures of the earth and the dense foliage of the surrounding trees, capturing the austere beauty of the wilderness.

Giovanni Merlo was an Italian engraver active during the mid-seventeenth century, known for his technical skill in translating the compositions of major northern masters into print. Maarten de Vos was a leading Flemish painter and draughtsman of the late sixteenth century who played a crucial role in the development of Mannerist art in Antwerp. This specific composition belongs to a tradition of depicting desert fathers and hermits, a popular theme in Counter-Reformation art intended to inspire piety and contemplation. Merlo's collaboration in reproducing de Vos's designs helped disseminate Flemish artistic styles across Europe, merging northern attention to landscape detail with Italian printmaking traditions.

Artist or Maker: Giovanni Merlo, after Maarten de Vos.

Dimensions: Approximately 23 cm x 29 cm.

Medium: print.

Date: 17th 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.