Saint Paul Marten Ryckaert (follower Of) Brueghel School 17th Century Flemish Religious Saint Anthony

Beautiful oil on canvas depicting, in my opinion, Saint Paul of Thebes or Saint Anthony.

Paul of Thebes, whose life was transcribed by Saint Jerome, was a desert hermit in the Thebaid region of Egypt in the mid-3rd century AD. He is abundantly depicted in the 17th and 18th centuries as a figure of eremitic life.
He was solemnly recognized by the Church as the first hermit during his canonization in 491 in Rome under Pope Gelasius I.
The saint is portrayed here in prayer, surrounded by lush nature.

The painter's technique, particularly in the depiction of vegetation, is highly characteristic of 17th-century artists such as Jan Brueghel the Elder or Marten Ryckaert.
The artist chose to represent an overwhelming, almost crushing nature, giving man a secondary place, thus reminding us of the precariousness of human life.

This oil on canvas was previously relined; a few small touch-ups and some minor damages are noted (see photos).
On the back, there is a label reading “School of Brueghel, 17th century” (I taped it because it was coming off).
There are also other old labels on the frame, now illegible.

Dimensions: 68 x 50 cm

We are looking for old religious paintings.

Photos were taken in natural light.
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