Religion · 16th century
€ 260
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition overall with age-related toning, occasional scattered spotting, and light edge wear consistent with age. Wide margins preserved. Original hand-coloring remains fresh and attractive.
Mendicant Religious Costume Engraving, Pilgrim Monk Figure, 1588
This evocative mid-18th century hand-colored costume engraving depicts a mendicant religious figure in traditional monastic dress, titled “Habit of a Mendicant Religious, in 1588.” The solitary figure is shown barefoot and hooded, carrying a pilgrim’s staff and rosary beads, presenting a powerful image of humility, devotion, and ascetic life during the late Renaissance period.
Produced circa 1749 by the European School, the engraving belongs to the celebrated tradition of European costume studies that documented the dress, customs, and social types of historical Europe. Such engravings were widely collected during the Enlightenment for their ethnographic value, artistic elegance, and educational interest. The original hand-coloring remains especially attractive here, with restrained earthy tones of brown, grey, muted blue, and soft flesh colors emphasizing the contemplative and austere nature of the subject.
The figure likely represents a wandering friar or mendicant monk associated with one of the religious orders devoted to poverty, pilgrimage, and charitable work. Details such as the hooded cloak, rosary beads, staff with crossbar, and bare feet reinforce the devotional symbolism of the composition. Unlike the aristocratic costume plates of the same series, this engraving captures a more spiritual and human dimension of Renaissance society, offering a striking contrast between worldly grandeur and religious simplicity.
The composition possesses a remarkably modern elegance due to the restrained use of space and the generous blank margins surrounding the solitary figure. The engraving displays beautifully as an individual work and also pairs exceptionally well with other religious, costume, or Renaissance-themed prints from the same series.
Condition: Good condition overall with age-related toning, occasional scattered spotting, and light edge wear consistent with age. Wide margins preserved. Original hand-coloring remains fresh and attractive.
Framing tips: Particularly effective in a dark walnut or ebonized frame with a wide ivory or warm cream mat. The subdued tones and contemplative subject matter suit both traditional interiors and minimalist gallery-style presentations.
Note: This print is an original antique engraving, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The piece is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
Technique: Copper engraving with original hand-coloring
Maker: European School, circa 1749
