Saint Bernard de Clairvaux 1605 - 1650

Jean Morin’s engraving portrays Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, a prominent figure in the 12th-century Catholic Church. Morin created this print during the Counter-Reformation, a period marked by the Catholic Church’s efforts to reassert its authority amidst the rise of Protestantism. Here, Bernard is bathed in divine light, an indication of the subject's importance to the church, set against symbols of mortality and the passage of time. Bernard’s contemplative pose reinforces the spiritual devotion that was encouraged during this period. During the Counter-Reformation, the representation of saints served as a powerful tool. This print presents a traditional image that reinforces the established religious doctrine. It is a depiction intended to inspire devotion and reaffirm the spiritual and moral authority of the Catholic Church. The image serves as a reminder of the divine presence in the lives of individuals committed to the church.