St. Eustace, from the Six Penitent Saints

This dramatic print comes from the series Six Penitent Saints, engraved by Cornelis Cort after designs by Girolamo Muziano. Ensconced in this expansive landscape scene is a depiction of the visionary encounter that inspired St. Eustace (2nd century AD), a Roman general originally named Placidus, to convert to Christianity. While hunting, Placidus saw a vision of the crucified Christ between the antlers of a stag. The stag then revealed himself to be Christ, thus inspiring Placidus and his family to convert. Cort's expressive handling of light and dark tones, as well as the bold pose of the saint, who is shown dismounted from his horse and kneeling in the foreground, serve to heighten the drama. This climactic moment in St. Eustace's life was frequently depicted in Renaissance art to illustrate the capacity of miracles and visions to inspire religious conversion.