Portrait of S. Benedictus, Abbas. First edition of the mezzotint, from an old Spanish collection of original Baroque engravings. 

Circa late 17th - early 18th Century. Large format Mezzotint. 67 x 45 cm. On old laid paper. Very rare. Text in bottom border: Monachor Patriar:.... Schauer, Johann Georg (1698) ; Further Names: Schaur, Johann Georg ; Gender: male ; Occupation: mezzotinter; graphic artist ; Geographical data: Augsburg ; Country Old fold marks...St. Benedict was born in Nursia in central Italy sometime around 480 AD. He was sent to Rome for his studies, but finding Rome too worldly, he soon left there. Not long afterwards he retired to a cave near Subiaco to live in solitude. He became known for his sanctity and many came to him to join him in his monastic way of life. The numbers where such that he founded several monasteries for them in the area. About the year 530 he left Subiaco and founded Montecassino, where he lived until his death in 550 and is still occupied by Benedictine monks today. It was at Montecassino that he wrote his famous Regula (Rule) which has formed the basis of Western Monasticism and was a very potent force in the building up of civilization in Europe. As a result, he is called the Father of western monasticism and was proclaimed Patron of Europe by Pope Paul VI in 1964.