Artwork
Hl. Hieronymus
Hl. Hieronymus is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Guido Reni. It dates from 1608 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is classified as a copy after an original composition by Reni, maintaining the iconographic focus on the saint's spiritual significance.
The painting depicts Saint Jerome, identified as the main subject of this religious work by Guido Reni. As a figure central to religious art, Jerome is traditionally associated with penitence, scholarship, and the translation of the Bible. This specific depiction, created in 1608, presents the saint within the context of a devotional image intended for contemplation.
The work is classified as a copy after an original composition by Reni, maintaining the iconographic focus on the saint's spiritual significance.
The subject matter aligns with the broader genre of religious art, emphasizing the figure's role as a Church Father and scholar. The composition serves to honor Jerome's legacy, presenting him as a model of piety and intellectual dedication.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on wood panel, measuring 65 cm in height by 50 cm in width. It portrays Saint Jerome in a devotional composition characteristic of early Baroque religious art. The painting demonstrates Reni's refined modeling of forms and soft chiaroscuro, reflecting his influence on later religious imagery. It is currently housed in the Alte Pinakothek within the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
History & Provenance
Created in 1608, this religious painting by Guido Reni portrays Saint Jerome and is classified as a work of the religious art genre. It is currently held in the Bavarian State Painting Collections, housed at the Alte Pinakothek. The work is a copy after Reni's original composition, reflecting the tradition of faithful reproductions within the collection's holdings.
Held in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek, this work is cataloged under the inventory number 1932 (accession details not specified in the sources). It was first documented in 1608 and has been exhibited within the museum's permanent collection, reflecting its enduring significance in the Alte Pinakothek's display of religious art. The painting, attributed to Guido Reni and based on a copy after the original, measures 65 cm in height and 50 cm in width, depicting Saint Jerome as its main subject.
Context
The work titled Hl. Hieronymus, painted by Guido Reni in 1608, depicts Saint Jerome and was created as a religious composition. It belongs to the broader context of early Baroque religious art and is part of Reni's documented output during his mature period.
The painting is housed in the Alte Pinakothek, within the Bavarian State Painting Collections, underscoring its institutional significance and preservation within a major European art collection.
Overview
Guido Reni’s 1608 oil painting presents Saint Jerome in a dimly lit cavern. The saint, bearded and absorbed in writing, is illuminated against rugged stone, while a winged angel hovers nearby, also bathed in the same focused light. The composition is dominated by the contrast between bright figures and surrounding darkness.
Artist & collection
Artist
Guido Reni was an Italian Baroque painter, although his works showed a classical manner, similar to Simon Vouet, Nicolas Poussin, and Philippe de Champaigne.
