The Hermit In The Grotto By Quiringh Gerritsz. Van Brekelenkam Ep XVII

Portrait of a hermit in oil on panel, 17th century, panel size 39 cm x 32 cm. Quiringh Gerritsz. VAN BREKELENKAM, or a follower of this one. This is called a vanitas in the history of art, a very popular style from the 16th to the 18th century. Here an old man is seated behind his work table in a posture reflecting a certain despondency confirmed by the anxious features of his face. Next to him on the table, in addition to the inverted skull, the image of death, there are symbols of passing time such as the hourglass or the nearly extinguished lamp. The man writes a manuscript and we see other probably religious works on his table which mark the hope of the Christian in a life beyond. It is the representation of a saint as a hermit in his cave. The message of this vanity is therefore that it is necessary for man to live in meditation and prayer if he wants to have access to eternal life. At that time the Church began to spread the opinion that the accumulated wealth is nothing compared to eternity, is only vain futility.