Heilige Serenus als kluizenaar 1644

This etching, "Heilige Serenus als kluizenaar" by Christoffel van (II) Sichem, depicts Saint Serenus, a hermit, in prayer. The artwork, dated 1644, showcases van Sichem's mastery of detail in portraying the saint's solemn devotion. Serenus is depicted kneeling in a cave, his gaze directed towards a crucifix floating above. A skull and other symbolic objects suggest his contemplation of mortality and the afterlife, emphasizing themes of faith and piety. This small-scale etching, now in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the religious art of the 17th century, emphasizing personal contemplation and the power of devotion.