Artwork

Hieronymusaltar von Santo Stefano in Venedig: Der heilige Hieronymus

Hieronymusaltar von Santo Stefano in Venedig: Der heilige Hieronymus is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Antonio Vivarini. It dates from 1441 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 1441 oil painting by Antonio Vivarini portrays Saint Jerome in a detailed, realistic manner. The work is characterized by its vivid colors, intricate textures, and ornate frame carvings, set against a yellow background.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Saint Jerome, identifiable by his traditional attributes: a long white beard, red attire (robe and wide-brimmed hat), an open book (symbolizing his scholarly and translational work), and a building (likely a church, representing his connection to the Christian faith).

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the piece showcases Vivarini's attention to detail through the rendering of textures (e.g., the beard, clothing, and book pages) and the use of deep, rich colors, particularly the deep red of Jerome's robe.

History & Provenance

Created in 1441 for Santo Stefano in Venice, the altarpiece is now part of the collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it is preserved and exhibited.

Context

Commissioned for a Venetian church, the work reflects the religious and artistic trends of 15th-century Venice, blending traditional religious iconography with the emerging techniques of the Renaissance.

Legacy

As a work by Antonio Vivarini, it contributes to the understanding of the artist's oeuvre and the development of Venetian Renaissance art, though its specific impact or influence on later artists is not prominently documented.