Who painted Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow?

Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1512.

Where can I see Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow?

Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow?

Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow

Albrecht Dürer , 1512

Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1512 drypoint, Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow, presents the saint seated beneath a tree, absorbed in a manuscript while a lion rests nearby. Executed on laid paper, the work exemplifies Dürer’s engagement with religious iconography during the early sixteenth century, combining narrative clarity with a keen observation of natural detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on Saint Jerome, a revered Church Father known for translating the Bible into Latin. His contemplative pose, the open book, and the accompanying lion—symbolic of the legend in which Jerome tames a ferocious beast—convey themes of scholarly devotion, spiritual triumph over wildness, and the harmony between intellect and nature.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed drypoint, incising lines directly into a copper plate, then printing onto laid paper. The method allowed him to render fine, velvety textures through closely spaced burr lines, creating subtle tonal gradations that suggest depth in the foliage and the lion’s fur. This approach marked a departure from earlier, cruder intaglio practices, showcasing his experimental precision.

History & Provenance

Created in 1512, the print emerged during Dürer’s mature period, when he was exploring varied print media. While the original plate has not survived, several impressions were circulated among collectors in the Holy Roman Empire. The work later entered the holdings of European print collections, eventually being acquired by a major museum in the twentieth century.