Four parts bound in one, 4to oblong, (300 x 195 mm). Engraved title, 25 plates; engraved title, 28 plates; engraved title, 29 plates; engraved title, 24 plates. Contemporary blindtooled calf, boards with fillets forming compartments, front board with title stamped in blind, raised bands to spine; worn, but holding firm. Some inconsequential marginal foxing and occasional finger soiling, else in virtually perfect condition; every plate intervened in the most exceptional and luxurious color, which remains today vivid and strong.

The coloring is remarkable, a fine intervention over the engravings, clearly by a master colorist or even an artist. This is not the simple color that can be often found, it is a true artistic intervention, an attempt to bring to life these wonderful scenes of Saints and Holy men and women in their daily lives: on prayer, being tempted, performing daily tasks, etc. All the title pages are engraved and are somewhat allegoric.

The four suites concern scenes from the lives of the Christian Hermits, sometimes called ´Desert Fathers´, portraying the men and women mostly in idyllic semi-rural settings; the fourth suite “Solitudo sive vitae Foeminarum” concerns solely Nun Hermits. Although the subjects are similar, and very desirable together, they are individual suites and completely different publishing efforts.

The Sadeler family was a large and successful dynasties of Flemish engravers of the late 16th and beginnings of the 17th centuries, founded by Jean Sadeler (1550-1600) and his brother Raphael Sadeler (1560-1628/32). The plates are after the designs of Martin de Voos (1532-1603), Flemish painter, known for his historical and religious paintings and for producing illustrations to supply Flemish engravers.

The suites were a huge success and widely published; these suites were published in Paris by Le Clerc, the plates are mostly the mirror image of those illustrated in Bartsch, suggesting they were re-engraved by Le Clerc.

- Oraculum: Brunet V, 23; Bartsch LXX/2, pp. 273-294; Hollstein XXI, 423-436.

- Sylvae Sacrae Monumenta sanctoris: Brunet V, 23, calling for 25 plates in apparent error; Bartsch LXX/2 pp. 219-247 and Hollstein XXI, 407-422, calling for 29 numbered plates.

- Solitudo sive vitae Patrum Eremicolarum: Bartsch 70/2 pp. 170-218; Brunet V, 23; Hollstein XXI, 377-406.

- Solitudo sive vitae Foeminarum anachoritarum: Brunet V, 23.