Where can I see Saint Jerome?

Saint Jerome is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Saint Jerome?

Saint Jerome is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Saint Jerome

Saint Jerome is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

Saint Jerome is a religious painting created in 1749 by an unidentified artist. Executed at small scale, it measures 35.2 cm in height by 25.2 cm in width and depicts the penitent Saint Jerome. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York under accession number 2007.49.350. The available sources do not record a specific exhibition history for the work.

Overview

This painting portrays Saint Jerome in a moment of contemplation or penance. The figure, partially unclothed and draped in a vibrant red cloak, kneels on a rugged terrain. His weary expression and gesture of scratching his arm convey a sense of human frailty.

A skull rests on a ledge behind him, a traditional memento mori, set against a somber, indistinct background.

Subject & Meaning

His exposed torso and the act of scratching suggest physical discomfort or spiritual struggle, aligning with narratives of hermitic devotion.

The artwork centers on Saint Jerome, a revered figure in Christian tradition often depicted in ascetic self-reflection. His exposed torso and the act of scratching suggest physical discomfort or spiritual struggle, aligning with narratives of hermitic devotion. The prominent skull serves as a symbolic reminder of mortality and the transient nature of earthly existence, inviting viewers to consider themes of penance and salvation.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a stark visual contrast to heighten the painting's emotional impact. The brilliant red of Saint Jerome's cloak dramatically offsets the muted tones of the rocky landscape and the deep, uneven background. This strong interplay of light and shadow, characteristic of chiaroscuro, emphasizes the figure's solemnity and physical state. The composition's directness contributes to its raw and unadorned aesthetic.

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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