Saint Jerome in the Cave
1644
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Ferdinand Bol
Ferdinand Bol (24 June 1616 - 24 August 1680) was a Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman.
See the richer artist page1644
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Saint Jerome in the Cave is a 1644 ink by Ferdinand Bol, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a robed figure kneeling in a rocky cave, surrounded by shadows and rough stone. The person’s head is bald, and they’re holding a book or paper while resting their chin on one hand. A lion sits calmly beside them, its head resting on the figure’s lap. Behind the figure, a small tree grows from the cave wall, and a hat and a few scattered objects lie on the ground. The artist used sharp lines to show texture—every fold of the robe, every crack in the rock. The contrast between light and dark makes the scene feel dramatic and intense. Try looking up etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how this technique works.
Ferdinand Bol (24 June 1616 - 24 August 1680) was a Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman.
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