Hermit Saint in the Desert

Museum record 61008: Hermit Saint in the Desert by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. A verified entry point for discovery.

What to notice

For Hermit Saint in the Desert (record 61008), start with modern, expressive, atmospheric. Compare the focal subject, edge treatment, and atmosphere before moving on.

Discover

The sole Boucher composition to be etched by Fragonard, this work is known to survive in only seven proofs. Possibly depicting St. Onuphrius of Egypt, a hermit who lived around 400 A.D., Boucher's original drawing is now in the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Since Fragonard made most of his twenty-four etchings during his voyages in Italy (1756-61 and 1773-74), this work is unusual for its early date and French inspiration. MyArtTaste includes museum record 61008 as a recognizable discovery anchor,…