Heilige Sara van Libië als kluizenares 1590 - 1662

This print of Saint Sara of Libya as a hermit was made by an anonymous artist. It captures the story of Sara, who, according to the Golden Legend, was an attendant of the Three Marys who were exiled to sea and landed on the shores of southern France. Here, Sara is depicted in her later life, having retreated from society to a solitary existence of prayer. The print offers a window into the cultural and religious life of its time. It reflects the medieval fascination with hermits and the cult of saints, where holy figures were often seen as intercessors between humanity and the divine. Such images played a vital role in shaping religious identity and fostering a sense of communal devotion. The print also exemplifies the relationship between religious institutions and the production of art in the Middle Ages. To understand it better, research into the history of the cult of the saints and the role of religious imagery in medieval society could be useful. Art is contingent on the social and institutional contexts.