Who painted Saint Jerome in Penitence?

Saint Jerome in Penitence was painted by Marco Zoppo in 1468.

Where can I see Saint Jerome in Penitence?

Saint Jerome in Penitence is held by Walters Art Museum.

What movement is Saint Jerome in Penitence?

Saint Jerome in Penitence is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Jerome in Penitence

Marco Zoppo , 1468

Saint Jerome in Penitence is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Marco Zoppo. It dates from 1468 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1468, *Saint Jerome in Penitance* is an oil painting by the early‑Renaissance Italian artist Marco Zoppo. The work portrays the biblical scholar Saint Jerome in a moment of self‑flagellation, set against a gold background that emphasizes the saint’s halo and solemn demeanor. It is part of the Walters Art Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is a bearded man with flowing white hair, dressed in a simple white robe. He clutches a stone in his right hand, striking his chest in an act of penitential mortification. His gaze is lowered, his expression contemplative, conveying the ascetic devotion traditionally associated with Jerome’s later life.

Technique & Style

Zoppo employs chiaroscuro to model the saint’s face and hands, giving the figure a three‑dimensional presence against the flat gold field. The contrast of light and shadow highlights the muscular tension of the self‑flagellation gesture, while the halo and gold backdrop recall medieval iconography within a nascent Renaissance visual language.

History & Provenance

Born in Cento in 1433, Marco Zoppo apprenticed with Lippo Dalmasio before joining the workshop of Francesco Squarcione, whose emphasis on classical form informed his approach. The painting remained in private hands before entering the Walters Art Museum, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s early Renaissance holdings.

Context

The work reflects the early Renaissance interest in combining devotional subjects with a renewed focus on naturalistic representation. By depicting Saint Jerome in a moment of personal penance, Zoppo aligns with contemporary religious reforms that emphasized inner piety, while his use of oil paint signals the gradual shift from tempera to newer media in Italian art.