Artwork
St. Jerome
St. Jerome is a print by the Baroque artist Jan Lievens. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jan Lievens, a Dutch artist of the early 17th century, produced the print titled *St. Jerome* in 1631. The work is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art and presents the saint in a solitary, reflective pose, surrounded by symbolic objects that underscore his scholarly and ascetic reputation.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as St. Jerome, the biblical translator traditionally shown in the act of contemplation. He is seated on the ground, clothed only in a simple loincloth, with a halo indicating sanctity. In his right hand he grips a hammer, while his left holds a skull, both conventional symbols of mortality and the labor of translation.
Technique & Style
Lievens employs a stark chiaroscuro, allowing deep shadows to dominate the background while a narrow beam of light illuminates the saint’s face and hands. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional presence and focuses attention on the central figure’s introspective demeanor.
History & Provenance
Born in Leiden, Lievens trained in Amsterdam alongside Rembrandt before establishing an independent career that took him to several European cities. *St. Jerome* entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection in the 20th century, though the exact acquisition path is not detailed in the available records.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Lievens (24 October 1607 – 4 June 1674) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who was associated with his close contemporary Rembrandt, a year older, in the early parts of their careers.
