Artwork
Saint Jerome in a Cave
Saint Jerome in a Cave is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Altdorfer’s 1515 woodcut, Saint Jerome in a Cave, presents the early‑church father seated within a rugged grotto. The saint, distinguished by a flowing white beard and a modest robe, is shown at a small desk with a book, a cross standing nearby, and a faithful dog at his side. Light filters through an opening in the rock, illuminating the contemplative scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image draws on the traditional legend of Jerome’s hermitic life, emphasizing scholarly devotion and ascetic solitude. The open book signifies his translation of the Bible, while the cross underscores his Christian faith. The presence of the dog, a common attribute of Jerome, reinforces his identity, and the cave setting evokes the saint’s withdrawal from the world for spiritual reflection.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut on laid paper, the print showcases Altdorfer’s meticulous carving, rendering fine textures in bark, stone and fabric.
Executed as a woodcut on laid paper, the print showcases Altdorfer’s meticulous carving, rendering fine textures in bark, stone and fabric. The contrast of deep black lines against the paper’s faint grain creates a vivid sense of depth. Altdorfer’s handling of natural elements reflects the Danube School’s interest in detailed landscapes, integrating the figure seamlessly into a richly observed environment.
History & Provenance
Created in Regensburg, the work belongs to Altdorfer’s mature period when he was recognized among the Nuremberg Little Masters for his printmaking. The woodcut circulated as part of devotional prints in the early sixteenth century, illustrating the spread of his reputation beyond painting. Surviving copies are held in several European collections, documenting its continued scholarly interest.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
The Fall and Redemption of Man: Christ on the Mount of Olives
St. Jerome in the Wilderness
St. Jerome in His Cell
Flemish Interior
The Fall and Redemption of Man: Christ Crowned with Thorns
The Fall and Redemption of Man: Burial of Christ
The Fall and Redemption of Man: Chirst on the Mount of Olives
Ecce Homo
Ecce Homo