Kneeling Pilgrim with Cross and Book 1826

"Kneeling Pilgrim with Cross and Book" is an 1826 etching by Johann Friedrich Overbeck, a prominent figure in the Nazarene movement. The artwork, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a figure in a long robe kneeling in prayer. The composition, characterized by simple lines and a focus on religious devotion, is a hallmark of the Nazarene style, which sought to revive the artistic ideals of the Early Renaissance. This etching, with its evocative portrayal of piety, exemplifies the movement's fascination with religious themes and a return to a more spiritual approach to art.