Who painted Saint Jerome in His Cell?

Saint Jerome in His Cell was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1511.

Where can I see Saint Jerome in His Cell?

Saint Jerome in His Cell is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Saint Jerome in His Cell?

Saint Jerome in His Cell is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Jerome in His Cell

Albrecht Dürer , 1511

Saint Jerome in His Cell is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1511 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1511 woodcut, Saint Jerome in His Cell, presents the biblical scholar seated in a modest interior. Rendered on laid paper, the image shows Jerome at a desk surrounded by volumes and a lion, his gaze directed inward. The composition balances scholarly contemplation with the quietude of his hermitage, offering a concise visual narrative of the saint’s life.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays Saint Jerome, renowned for translating the Bible into Latin. The presence of books underscores his scholarly labor, while the lion references the legend of his taming of a wild beast. Jerome’s thoughtful posture suggests meditation on divine texts, reflecting the humanist emphasis on learning and piety prevalent in early sixteenth‑century devotional art.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the image was carved in relief on a wooden block and printed onto laid paper, allowing for multiple identical impressions. Dürer’s precise line work and careful modulation of tone create depth within the confined space, demonstrating his mastery of the medium and his ability to convey intricate detail through a reproducible process.

History & Provenance

Created in 1511, the print was part of Dürer’s broader output of religious images intended for wide distribution. Copies circulated among patrons and collectors across the Holy Roman Empire, contributing to the artist’s reputation as a leading figure in printmaking. Surviving impressions are held in several European and American institutions.

Context

During the Renaissance, woodcut printing emerged as a vital means of disseminating theological and artistic ideas. Dürer’s Saint Jerome aligns with contemporary humanist interests, merging scholarly themes with accessible visual media. The work exemplifies how print technology expanded the reach of devotional imagery beyond the confines of manuscript illumination.