Jan Sadeler I (1550-1600) after Maerten de Vos (1532-1603) - Saint Magloire of Dol, from the series Oraculum Anachoreticum

Engraving.

Crisp, lifetime impression on laid paper, pasted on another sheet of laid paper (with watermark).

Plate 16 from the series "Oraculum Anachoreticum", depicting various ancient Christian hermits, after Maerten de Vos' designs.

The print shows Saint Magloire of Dol, a Breton hermit from the 5th century, in his hermitage. He kneels before an angel and receives holy communion. In the background, the are two other hermits.

Vita Sancti Maglorii presents a narrative of Saint Magloire's life. According to the text, Magloire was born in the early 6th century to Afrelia and Umbrafel, the aunt and uncle of Samson of Dol. As a child, he studied at Cor Tewdws under the tutelage of St. Illtud. After his ordination, he was made abbot of a Lanmeurian monastery where he governed for 52 years. Afterwards, he journeyed to Brittany with his cousin Samson, who became the archbishop of Dol. After Samson's death, Magloire succeeded him as his chosen successor to the archbishopric, although, having received instructions from a visiting angel, he soon resigned his post to Budoc and withdrew to the island of Sark, where he established a community of 62 monks.

References: Hollstein 1066.

Condition report: Trimmed to the image borderline. Central fold present (not affecting the plate). Overall in excellent condition.