Artwork

Saint Jerome

Saint Jerome, by Jacopo Bellini, paint, 1432
Saint Jerome, by Jacopo Bellini, paint, 1432

Saint Jerome is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Jacopo Bellini. It dates from 1432 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Saint Jerome, a painting from 1432, is an early Renaissance work by Jacopo Bellini, a pivotal figure in establishing the Renaissance style in Venice and northern Italy. Executed in paint, it exemplifies the period's artistic values.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Saint Jerome, identifiable by his traditional attire - a red robe with intricate gold embroidery and a hat, accompanied by a long white beard. He holds a detailed brick model of a church, complete with a tall steeple and two smaller domes, symbolizing his scholarly and religious devotion. The saint's gaze is directed to the left, lost in contemplation.

Technique & Style

Bellini's integration of linear perspective with characteristic Venetian vibrancy is evident. The dark background contrasts with the vivid red robe, while white gloves and the detailed church model showcase the artist's attention to texture and pattern. The level of detail in embroidery, textures, and the architectural model highlights Bellini's meticulous craftsmanship.

History & Provenance

One of the few surviving paintings by Jacopo Bellini, *Saint Jerome* stands out against the scarcity of his extant works. His sketchbooks, housed in the British Museum and the Louvre, offer additional insight into his artistic preoccupations, particularly with landscape and architectural detail.

Context

Created during the early Renaissance, this work reflects the burgeoning interest in religious subjects infused with newfound techniques of perspective and color depth, characteristic of the Venetian school's emerging identity.

Legacy

As one of Bellini's rare surviving paintings, *Saint Jerome* contributes significantly to the understanding of his role in shaping Venetian Renaissance art, bridging traditional themes with innovative early Renaissance techniques.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacopo Bellini

Artist

Jacopo Bellini

Jacopo Bellini (c. 1400 – c. 1470) was one of the founders of the Renaissance style of painting in Venice and northern Italy. His sons Gentile and Giovanni Bellini, and his son-in-law Andrea Mantegna, were also famous…

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