Heilige Franciscus van Assisi als kluizenaar 1590 - 1612

This print by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert depicts Saint Francis of Assisi as a hermit and reflects the religious and social values of its time. During this period in European history, the Catholic Church played a central role in shaping cultural identity and societal norms. Here we see Francis kneeling in a solitary landscape, his face upturned as if receiving divine inspiration from the dove above. His humble attire and the presence of a skull remind us of the monastic values of poverty, humility, and mortality. It is interesting to consider the performative aspects of religious devotion, particularly regarding gender. Francis's ecstatic pose embodies a kind of spiritual yearning, which can be seen as transcending traditional ideas of masculinity. The print invites us to contemplate the intersection of faith, identity, and representation, as well as the complex interplay between personal devotion and communal identity. It offers a window into the past, prompting us to reflect on enduring questions of existence.