Heilige Andreas Zoërardus als kluizenaar 1594

This 1594 engraving by Johann Sadeler I depicts Saint Zoërardus, a hermit, sitting in a tree trunk hollowed out to serve as a makeshift dwelling. A ring of nails surrounds the hole and he is chained to the tree. Zoërardus, with a long white beard and robes, is shown with his hands clasped in prayer. The scene is set in a dense forest, and the inscription at the bottom speaks to his perseverance in the face of hardship. This piece highlights the popularity of religious imagery in the 16th century, with Sadeler's expert engraving technique showcasing the saint's devotion and his solitary existence.