Biddende kluizenaar 1658 - 1677

"Biddende kluizenaar" (Praying Hermit) is an etching by Dutch artist Wallerant Vaillant, dating from 1658 to 1677. The piece depicts a solitary figure in prayer, captured in a moment of deep contemplation. The hermit is kneeling, his hands clasped in prayer, illuminated by a single light source emanating from a lantern. The etching's use of light and shadow creates a dramatic atmosphere, emphasizing the hermit's isolation and devotion. This artwork, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to Vaillant's mastery of etching techniques, and reflects the 17th-century Dutch interest in depicting religious themes.