Who painted Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso]?

Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso] was painted by Correggio in 1524.

Where can I see Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso]?

Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso]?

Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso]

Correggio , 1524

Saint Matthew and Saint Jerome [verso] is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Correggio. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1524, this drawing by Antonio Allegri da Correggio—commonly known as Correggio—depicts Saint Matthew alongside Saint Jerome. Executed on laid paper, the work combines pen work, brown ink, a subtle brown wash, and accents of red chalk. It exemplifies the artist’s early engagement with religious subject matter within the Italian Renaissance framework.

Technique & Style

Correggio employs a layered approach, beginning with fine pen lines that define the figures, then building tonal depth through brown ink washes.

Correggio employs a layered approach, beginning with fine pen lines that define the figures, then building tonal depth through brown ink washes. Red chalk highlights selective details, while the brown wash creates a unified atmospheric effect. The composition showcases his skillful handling of chiaroscuro and a pronounced sense of three‑dimensional space achieved through illusionistic perspective and foreshortening.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing presents two pivotal Christian scholars: Saint Matthew, traditionally associated with the Gospel, and Saint Jerome, famed for translating the Bible into Latin. Their juxtaposition underscores themes of scriptural authority and scholarly devotion, reflecting the devotional practices and theological interests of early 16th‑century patrons.

Context

As a product of the Parma school, the piece illustrates Correggio’s contribution to the region’s artistic identity, characterized by fluid movement and dramatic lighting. Elements such as exaggerated perspective and dynamic pose anticipate compositional strategies later adopted by Baroque and Rococo artists, marking the drawing as a transitional link between High Renaissance ideals and subsequent stylistic developments.

Artist & collection

Artist

Correggio

Antonio Allegri da Correggio (August 1489 – 5 March 1534), usually known as just Correggio (, also UK: , US: , Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High…