Artwork
St. Jerome in His Study
St. Jerome in His Study is a print by the Renaissance artist Giovanni Antonio da Brescia. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Antonio da Brescia’s engraving *St. Jerome in His Study* dates to roughly 1510. Executed in copperplate, the print presents a solitary figure seated at a desk amid a clutter of books, papers, and modest furnishings. The composition captures a tranquil interior illuminated by a few windows, emphasizing a quiet scholarly atmosphere typical of Renaissance depictions of the saint.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays St. Jerome, the fourth‑century biblical scholar and translator of the Vulgate, in the act of study. By situating the saint within a modest, well‑appointed study, the image underscores his role as a learned ascetic, linking intellectual labor with spiritual devotion. The intimate setting invites contemplation of the balance between erudition and piety.
Technique & Style
Brescia’s engraving is marked by fine, cross‑hatching that renders the texture of wood, the sheen of metal objects, and the folds of the saint’s robes. The careful modulation of line creates a sense of depth and materiality, while the precise detailing of books and papers reflects the artist’s interest in everyday realism within a devotional context.
History & Provenance
The print bears the monogram “Z.A.” and later the more explicit signature “IO.AN.BX.”, which led early scholars to mistakenly attribute the work to two different engravers. Subsequent research unified these signatures under Giovanni Antonio da Brescia, an active northern‑Italian engraver of the early sixteenth century. The piece now resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Antonio da Brescia was an Italian engraver of northern Italy, active in the approximate period 1490–1519, during the Italian Renaissance.
