The ascetic wanderers. The portrayals of hermits in art

Historically, the hermits mostly were lone wanderers, driven into an ascetic life by religious motifs. They preferred to stay away from society and live in remote areas, surrounded by mountains, forests, or caves.

To find satisfaction in life, a hermit had to live in asceticism, having regular prayers as the primary source of his well-being. He had to be opposed to any kinds of comfort and the traditional goods that society held in high regard. A chance to enjoy the beauty of nature, admire its strength and be closer to God was all a hermit could ask for. Many of them tried to avoid contact with other people as much as possible, but it was still a kind of a duty to be kind and helpful towards anyone who needed it.

Of course, such an ascetic lifestyle earned the praise of the Catholic Church, and some hermits were venerated as saints. Paul of Thebes is considered to be the first of many hermits. His example inspired other ascetic and religious minds in France, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, and other countries.

Like many historical characters, hermits also became a source of inspiration and admiration for the artists. Throughout the centuries, European painters created many captivating artworks in different styles, depicting the portraits and lifestyles of the hermits. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg — The Hermit

The French-British painter was known for his landscape and naval depictions. He depicted the rural scenes, featuring peasants and animals with great accuracy. Occasionally, De Loutherbourg painted religious motifs. This particular painting is more of a landscape painting that includes a scene of a wanderer having a conversation with a hermit. Nature plays the key role here, but the figure of the hermit fits in well. Hermits often found their home in such kind of mountainous landscapes.

Carl Spitzweg — Hermit playing music in front of his rock hermitage

Carl Spitzweg — The sleeping hermit

Carl Spitzweg — Hermit roasting a chicken

Carl Spitzweg — Hermit in front of his retreat

You can guess that the 19th-century German painter Carl Spitzweg had some kind of admiration towards hermits since those were a common choice for his paintings. He depicted them in their usual environment, being far away from civilization. One of them is sleeping, the other reading, while others might play music to entertain themselves or cook something.

Anonymous Author — Two hermits in a rock cave

Unfortunately, the author of this artwork is unknown. Yet, it depicts a bit of an unusual scene. Instead of one hermit, there are two of them living in an ascetic, but cozy rock cave. All the basic commodities are here — a fireplace for cooking, reserves of food, and a stone table with a cross and book (probably Bible) on it.

Pierre-Athanase Chauvin — The Hermit

The French landscape painter was known for his depictions of Italian landscapes. This particular work depicts a hermit in a mountainous area of Italy. You can see a building far away in the background. Hermit is reading a book in front of a wild river. Overall, this scene looks very peaceful and charming.

Carl Trost — Waidbruder

Unlike the other works depicting hermits, this one was made in dark tones that create a gloomy atmosphere. It depicts a hermit with a deer in one hand and a gun in his right hand. He brings back his prey home, which is located somewhere in a dark forest. It reminds the Schwarzwald forest in Germany. The painter depicted all the details of nature and the hermit’s home very accurately. However, the hermit himself remains kind of a mystery. You cannot see his face because it is hidden in the shadows.

Hubert Robert — A Hermit Praying in the Ruins of a Roman Temple

Hermits were usually seeking a place to live in remote areas. Hubert Robert depicts a hermit that has found his home in a huge abandoned Roman temple. As you can see, his idyllic life in prayer is bothered by four young ladies. The painter created a very detailed work with a light focusing on the figure of a hermit.

Ludwig Sckell — The Hermit

German painter Ludwig Sckell was a true master of landscape depictions. He could create almost photographic scenes of beautiful natural landscapes. In this artwork, Sckell depicts an old hermit in a very calming scene nearby his tiny house that is built under the trees and rocks. It is a very telling scene about the life of hermits. It instantly brings the feeling: “Ah, this is how they live!”

Ludwig Ferdinand Schnorr von Carolsfeld — The Death of a Hermit

The name of this painting tells it all. German Romanticism period painter Schnorr von Carolsfeld depicted a group of hermits preparing for the funeral of their fellow friend. One of them is digging the grave, while two others are praying and mourning the loss of their friend. The deceased hermit is about to be buried in a quiet place that precisely represents the remote areas these ascetic people usually lived.

Diego Velázquez — Saint Anthony Abbot and St. Paul

Some painters, like the great Spanish master Diego Velazquez, chose to depict not just some nameless characters that represent hermits, but actual historical figures. This painting shows the meeting of two Catholic Saints — Saint Anthony the Great and the pioneer amongst hermits, Paul of Thebes. Saint Anthony meets the hermit in the Egyptian desert, and you can see a raven with a loaf of bread in his mouth, carrying it towards the saints.

Gerrit Dou — The Hermit

A student of Rembrandt, the Dutch painter Gerrit Dou was known for his genre scenes and portraits. In this painting, Dou depicts an old hermit kneeling before a crucifix and praying. Hermit is located in some ruins and surrounded by a slightly mystic atmosphere. Around him, there are some symbolic items, such as a lantern, hourglass, and a skull. You can see live branches growing from a dead tree, and it is a symbolic depiction of life after death.

Balthasar Beschey — Two hermits meditating in the wilderness

The Flemish master was known for his portrait and history paintings. It depicts two hermits. One of them is praying in the background, and the other is reading a book. Similar to Dou’s painting, this 18th-century artwork also features some symbolic elements, such as the bird in the cage and a skull. It is a well-detailed work that depicts the common aspects and environment of the life of hermits.

Although hermits are still present in the modern-day world, their presence is even less noticeable. While in the past, hermit’s lifestyle was mostly driven by the religious motifs, and desire to be closer to God, it is not that popular choice anymore. Christianity has seen a strong decline in the past decades, and nowadays, it is way harder to find remote places to stay away from society. The global population is growing every hour. Nevertheless, hermits will always remain a slightly mystical part of the Christian and art history.

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