Artwork
St Jerome in his study
St Jerome in his study is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Marinus van Reymerswaele. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1540 by Dutch painter Marinus van Reymerswaele, this oil on canvas presents a contemplative Saint Jerome within a modest study. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s recurring interest in religious subjects rendered for a Northern Renaissance audience.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is Saint Jerome, identifiable by his red habit, balding head, and long beard. He is shown in a scholarly pose, one hand resting on a skull—a memento mori—and the other raised in a gesture of instruction. The surrounding objects—a book, crucifix, candle, and rolled paper—underscore his role as a translator of biblical texts and a model of ascetic learning.
Technique & Style
Van Reymerswaele employs chiaroscuro to model the figure and furnishings, allowing light to fall on the scholar’s face and the open book while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. The limited palette of reds, browns, and greens contributes to a restrained, intimate atmosphere typical of Northern Renaissance interiors.
History & Provenance
Trained in Leuven and Antwerp, the artist returned to the Northern Netherlands where he operated a workshop that produced several versions of this composition. The painting eventually entered the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of 16th‑century Dutch religious art.
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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…
