Heilige Cyriacus de kluizenaar after 1594

Charles van Boeckel created this print of Saint Cyriacus, the hermit, using etching. Cyriacus sits outside reading a book, with a crucifix and some vegetables at his feet. This image reflects the cultural currents of its time, likely in the Netherlands. We see the figure of a Christian saint placed in a natural landscape, in an attitude of humble study. The presence of the vegetables suggests a life of simplicity, in harmony with nature. The print is an etching, a medium that became popular for its detail and reproducibility and this print, like other devotional images, would have circulated widely and been available for private contemplation. To understand this work better, we would research the role of saints in Dutch religious life and the relationship between the Catholic and Protestant churches during the period it was made. The print offers a glimpse into the values of the time, inviting further investigation into social and religious history.