Artwork

St. Jerome

St. Jerome, by Unknown, paint, 1520
St. Jerome, by Unknown, paint, 1520

St. Jerome is a paint painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. St.

About this work

Overview

St. Jerome is a painting depicting the saint in a serene, contemplative state within a natural and architectural landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, St. Jerome, is portrayed as an elderly, bearded man in deep thought, accompanied by a lion, symbolizing his legendary companionship. The scene conveys an atmosphere of peace, reflecting the saint's devotion and wisdom.

Technique & Style

The painting features a contrast between the dark, simple robe of St. Jerome and the light, airy sky, with subtle cloud details. The overall style emphasizes tranquility through the calm poses of both the saint and the lion, set against a softly rendered landscape with distant village details.

Context

The inclusion of a lion and the depiction of St. Jerome in contemplation align with traditional Christian iconography, where the lion represents the saint's protection from a beast he had befriended, and the setting reflects his hermitage.

Legacy

This serene representation of St. Jerome contributes to the broader artistic tradition of depicting saints in contemplative, natural settings, influencing subsequent portrayals of religious figures in peaceful, symbolic landscapes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Gemäldegalerie Berlin open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.