The Hermit 1721

Frans van Mieris the Younger's 1721 oil painting "The Hermit" depicts a solitary figure in prayer. The painting's small dimensions, 16 cm by 14 cm, highlight the intimacy of the scene. The hermit's contemplative pose, with hands clasped in devotion, is emphasized by the warm, subdued lighting. Surrounding him are symbols of mortality, including a skull, a book, and a crucifix, emphasizing the painting's themes of faith and contemplation. This intimate and evocative depiction of a solitary figure in prayer exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age tradition of genre painting.