Artwork
Saint Jerome in his Study
Saint Jerome in his Study is an unspecified painting by Lorenzo Monaco. It dates from 1420 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Lorenzo Monaco’s panel portrays Saint Jerome seated in a modest study, his red habit draped over a cluttered desk of manuscripts. A lion rests at his feet, while daylight filters through arched windows, illuminating the scholarly setting.
Subject & Meaning
The work references the 4th‑century Church Father renowned for translating the Bible into Latin. The inclusion of the lion alludes to the legend in which Jerome removes a thorn from the animal’s paw, after which the beast becomes his loyal companion, symbolising the harmony of learning and nature.
Technique & Style
Monaco applied delicate, translucent layers of pigment to render the soft folds of the robe and the subtle play of light on the surfaces. The careful modeling of the lion’s fur and the gentle chiaroscuro convey a quiet, contemplative atmosphere typical of early 15th‑century Florentine panel painting.
History & Provenance
The panel formed the right wing of a small diptych, likely intended for private devotion. Its original counterpart, now lost, would have completed the composition. The piece has remained in the museum’s collection since its acquisition in the early 20th century.
Context
During the period, depictions of scholarly saints served as visual encouragement for personal study and piety. Monaco’s choice of a compact, intimate format reflects the devotional practices of affluent patrons who sought portable altarpieces for private chapels.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lorenzo Monaco was a Sienese painter and miniaturist of the late Gothic to early Renaissance age, active principally in Florence.
