Heilige Isaac van de Cellen after 1636

"Heilige Isaac van de Cellen" (Holy Isaac of the Cells) is a 17th-century etching by Dutch artist Frederick Bloemaert. The artwork portrays Saint Isaac the Solitary, a 4th-century hermit, in a moment of prayer. Isaac is depicted kneeling before a cave, with his eyes closed and hands raised in supplication. A winged, snake-like demon hovers menacingly above him, representing the temptations that Isaac resisted in his pursuit of spiritual solitude. The etching’s composition emphasizes the contrast between Isaac's piety and the demonic presence, creating a dramatic and evocative scene. This print, like other works by Bloemaert, demonstrates the artist's mastery of line and detail, creating a realistic and emotionally powerful image.