Saint Bruno 1764

Jean Bernard Restout made this etching of Saint Bruno sometime in the 18th century. Restout lived through the height of the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that questioned religious authority, advocating for reason and individualism. Here, the figure of Saint Bruno kneels in prayer, amidst symbols of mortality and faith. The skull reminds us of life’s transience, while the cross and open book symbolize enduring spiritual devotion. The etching suggests an introspective and ascetic existence, one in stark contrast to the increasing secularism of Restout’s era. As the art world shifted, artists like Restout found themselves navigating between traditional representations and the changing values of society. This piece, with its somber mood, encourages us to reflect on the tension between the material and the spiritual, the personal and the societal, that continues to shape our understanding of identity and history.