Heilige Bruno in gebed in Calabrië 1623 - 1676

This print, *Saint Bruno Praying in Calabria*, was created by François Chauveau in the 17th century. Chauveau was a French artist whose engravings often mixed religious and pastoral themes during a time of religious and political conflict in Europe. Here, we see Bruno of Cologne, who founded the Carthusian Order, an enclosed Catholic order, in a hermitage in the Calabrian wilderness. The Carthusians valued silence and solitude and were known for their simple lives. Chauveau’s image gives us a glimpse into their spartan existence, where monks are depicted constructing their shelter and engaging in prayer. The wilderness serves as a place for divine contemplation. The print offers a romantic view of monastic life, emphasizing devotion and closeness to nature, a narrative that was very popular in Chauveau’s era. But consider the class implications of men leaving society to pursue lives of prayer, which may have only been feasible for those with some level of financial stability. Ultimately, Chauveau’s depiction prompts us to reflect on the historical and social conditions that shape our understanding of devotion, labor, and spirituality.