Saint Eligius, 1790, Large Oil on Canvas

Description

We offer you the rare opportunity to acquire an authentic piece of French religious history: an imposing 18th century painting … more We offer you the rare opportunity to acquire an authentic piece of French religious history: an imposing 18th century painting representing Saint Eloi, created in 1790 in Grand Cléry. This painting, of great heritage value, comes from the prestigious collection of Bonnefontaine Abbey, located in the French Ardennes.

This masterpiece has spanned the centuries, surviving the torments of the French Revolution. During one of the most tumultuous periods in history, it was carefully concealed during attacks on the abbey, thus escaping the destruction that befell so many other religious works of art.

The work represents Saint Eloi, a saint venerated for his probity and his exceptional mastery of goldsmithing. There we find the traditional attributes of the saint: the anvil, the hammer, the horseshoe and the golden scepter, symbols of his profession and his spiritual influence. Born near Limoges around 588, Saint Éloi first distinguished himself as a talented goldsmith before becoming minister to King Dagobert and ultimately bishop of Noyon. His exemplary life, marked by honesty and devotion, made him the patron saint of mechanics, goldsmiths, blacksmiths and metal trades, as well as the French Air Force.

This painting, with its impressive dimensions (171 cm high and 89 cm wide), does not just pay homage to Saint Eloi; it also embodies the rich history of Bonnefontaine Abbey. Founded in 1152 by returning crusaders, under the leadership of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, this Cistercian abbey was a mecca of spirituality until its abandonment in 1790, following the French Revolution. The abbey has since suffered much destruction, but this work has miraculously survived, testifying to the faith and art of that era.

In short, this painting is much more than a work of art; it is a historical relic, a tangible memory of a bygone era, and a celebration of the life of Saint Eloi, whose fame endures through the centuries. To own this painting is to appropriate part of the spiritual and artistic heritage of France less