Eremit Praying 1635

Jacob van Spreeuwen's "Eremit Praying" (1635) depicts a solitary hermit kneeling in prayer, his face illuminated by a single light source. The hermit is surrounded by symbols of his piety, including a rosary, a skull, and a crucifix. The open book before him suggests a contemplative and intellectual aspect to his devotion. The painting is a fine example of Dutch Golden Age art, characterized by its realistic detail and evocative use of light and shadow. "Eremit Praying" can be found at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst.