Trophaeum Vitae Solitariae c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have "Trophaeum Vitae Solitariae" by Johann Sadeler I. It depicts a man praying in a forest with a lion nearby. The scene is so still and contemplative, but I'm curious – what social or cultural messages do you think Sadeler was trying to convey here? Curator: This print reflects the early modern fascination with hermeticism and the idealization of the solitary life, often linked to spiritual purification. Its display in a collection likely served to both inspire religious devotion and demonstrate the owner's refined sensibilities, reflecting the cultural values of the time. How do you see the image functioning within a religious context? Editor: I guess it suggests a sort of personal relationship with the divine, outside of institutional settings. Thank you, I see it differently now! Curator: Indeed, and it reminds us that even seemingly simple images are complex products of their time.