Artwork
Saint Jerome
Saint Jerome is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Marinus van Reymerswaele. It dates from 1528 and is held in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1528 by the Dutch painter Marinus van Reymerswaele, this oil on canvas portrays Saint Jerome in a modest interior. The work forms part of a series of devotional images produced in the artist’s workshop and is now part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a bearded saint, identifiable by the traditional symbols of a skull and a book of notes, both associated with Jerome’s contemplation of mortality and scholarly activity. The inclusion of a bust and a distant architectural view reinforces themes of intellectual pursuit and the transience of earthly life.
Technique & Style
Van Reymerswaele employs a restrained chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model the saint’s form and give depth to the surrounding objects. The muted palette and careful rendering of textures—such as the dark robe and the polished skull—enhance the painting’s realistic atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Trained in Leuven and later active in Antwerp, the artist returned to the Northern Netherlands where he produced this and other religious compositions. The painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century, where it remains on display as an example of Northern Renaissance devotional art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marinus van Reymerswaele or Marinus van Reymerswale (c. 1490 – c. 1546) was a Dutch Renaissance painter mainly known for his genre scenes and religious compositions. After studying in Leuven and training and working as…
