Biddende H. Bruno 1673 - 1738

This is Pierre Drevet’s engraving “Biddende H. Bruno,” made around the turn of the 18th century. Here, Saint Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order, is shown in deep devotion, embracing a crucifix. The crucifix itself—Christ nailed to the cross—is a symbol laden with centuries of Christian theology, representing sacrifice, redemption, and divine love. Consider the recurring image of the Pietà: the Virgin Mary cradling the lifeless body of Christ. This motif, echoing across medieval sculptures and Renaissance paintings, elicits profound empathy and sorrow. But Saint Bruno’s embrace of the crucifix takes on a different angle. It’s not just about mourning. It’s about the personal connection to the divine, a yearning for spiritual union, and the subconscious desire to return to a primordial, undisturbed state, represented here by the wooden cross. The image evokes an emotional response, a deep connection to the profound themes of faith, suffering, and redemption that resonate across time and cultures. The symbol of the cross, though rooted in Christian history, carries a universal appeal that transcends its specific origin, forever reminding us of the cyclical dance between suffering and hope.