The Penitents: St. Jerome in the Desert
1638
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1638
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This etching shows a rocky desert scene with two people sitting under a tree. One person looks like they’re praying or resting, while the other sits nearby. In the background, a lion stands near a cave entrance, and the landscape is full of gnarled trees and jagged rocks. The lion’s calm presence next to the humans hints at a story—this is a scene from a religious tale. The artist used shading to make the rocks and shadows look deep and textured. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and dark create drama in art.
