Studies van drie kluizenaars 1574 - 1651

Abraham Bloemaert made this red chalk drawing entitled “Studies of Three Hermits” sometime in the early 17th century, a period of great religious and political upheaval in the Netherlands. Here, Bloemaert presents not a finished picture, but a study. In the early 17th century, the Dutch Republic was establishing itself as a Protestant nation, and institutions like the Haarlem Guild of Saint Luke, of which Bloemaert was a member, helped to define and regulate artistic production. Bloemaert’s choice of subject matter—hermits, figures associated with religious contemplation and withdrawal from society—may reflect a yearning for spiritual solace during this turbulent era. As art historians, we investigate such drawings, consulting period sources to reconstruct their meaning and relevance. Bloemaert’s “Studies of Three Hermits” prompts us to reflect on the role of religious imagery during the establishment of the Dutch Republic and how artists negotiated the changing cultural landscape.