Saint Bruno

Saint Bruno (c. 1032-1101), the founder of the Carthusian Order, was canonized in 1623. Dressed in the typical white habit, he is portrayed in solitary prayer at his mountain retreat near Grenoble, the site of the first charterhouse. His sensitively modeled face and massive body stand out in sharp relief against the dark background, enveloped by a palpable atmosphere and natural light. The austere image mirrors Carthusian religious life with its silent contemplation and asceticism.