VARIOUS PROPERTIES
Abraham Bloemaert (1564-1651)

Saint Arsenius of Skete

Details
Abraham Bloemaert (1564-1651)
Saint Arsenius of Skete
with inscriptions '132' and 'gel A.Bloemaert' (verso)
black chalk, pen and brown ink, brown wash, brown ink framing lines, the outlines incised, watermark PP
123 x 87 mm.
Engraved
In reverse, by Frederick Bloemaert, no. 32 of the Second Series of Hermits: Sacred Thebaid (not in Hollstein, M.G. Roethlisberger, Abraham Bloemaert and his sons, paintings and prints, Doornspijk, 1993, I, no. 592, II, plate 782).

Lot Essay

Professor Bolten upon inspection of the drawing confirmed the attribution and in a letter dated 28 August 1996 kindly pointed out that this is the only drawn version of this 'specific subject', and will include it in his forthcoming catalogue of the artist's drawings.
In punishment for using perfumes before he became a monk, Saint Arsenius never changed the foul smelling water which he used to make baskets. The water dish is in front of him. Frederick has faithfully reproduced the drawing by his father apart from introducing the rosary draped over the bible in the background.

More from Dutch, Flemish and German Old Master Drawings

View All
View All