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The Penitence of St. Jerome

Unknown

1520

oil

panel

From the collection of Norton Simon Museum

Northern Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

The Penitence of St. Jerome is a 1520 oil by Unknown, a Northern Renaissance work, held at Norton Simon Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1520 · Northern Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Norton Simon Museum

About this work

This painting shows a man in a white robe, kneeling on the ground, with his hands clasped together in prayer. He is surrounded by trees and rocks, and a red cloak is draped over a nearby bush. In the background, there is a crucifix with a figure of Jesus Christ on it, and a small church steeple can be seen in the distance. The man's face is contorted in a mixture of pain and devotion, and his eyes are cast downward in a gesture of humility. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of somber reflection and spiritual contemplation. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure of the man. Look up chiaroscuro next.