Large religious painting from the Saint Éloi church, 18th century

Large 18th century painting depicting Saint Eligius, made in 1790 in Grand Cléry. This painting, of great heritage value, comes from the prestigious collection of the Bonnefontaine Abbey, located in the French Ardennes.
This masterpiece has spanned the centuries, surviving the upheavals of the French Revolution. During this tumultuous period, it was carefully hidden during the attacks on the abbey, thus escaping the destruction that took so many other religious works of art.
The work depicts Saint Eligius, a saint venerated for his integrity and exceptional mastery of goldsmithing. It features 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 Eligius first distinguished himself as a talented goldsmith before becoming minister to King Dagobert, then Bishop of Noyon. His exemplary life, marked by honesty and devotion, made him the patron saint of mechanics, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, as well as metal trades, and even the French Air Force.
This painting, with its impressive dimensions (171 cm high by 89 cm wide), does not just pay homage to Saint Eligius; 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 high place of spirituality until its abandonment in 1790, following the French Revolution. Although the abbey has since suffered much destruction, this work has miraculously survived, bearing witness to the faith and art of that era.
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 Eligius, whose fame endures through the centuries. To own this painting is to appropriate a part of the spiritual and artistic heritage of France.

Condition: see photos, wear
Dimensions:
Height: 171cm
Width: 89cm

Ref: 01C5ORVJBT