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A Hermit Kneeling in Prayer by His Delapidated Hut

After 1635
Frederick Bloemaert (Dutch, c. 1616–1690) After Abraham Bloemaert (Dutch, 1566–1651) Published by Frederick Bloemaert (Dutch, c. 1616–1690)
In certain prints, a lone monumental tree becomes the subject of the work, assuming the role traditionally assigned to the human figure. Here, even the actions of the praying hermit are secondary to the dominant tree with twisting branches and gnarled roots. Such trees are emblematic of the ravage of time, as are the crumbling brick wall from which the roots protrude and the dilapidated shelter of the hermit, just visible in the background.

Object Details

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