Artwork
Saint Jerome (panel from an altarpiece)
Saint Jerome (panel from an altarpiece) is a tempera painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Vittore Crivelli. It dates from 1491 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in 1491, this tempera panel portrays Saint Jerome, a prominent figure in Christian scholarship.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1491, this tempera panel portrays Saint Jerome, a prominent figure in Christian scholarship. The composition centers on a bearded man in a red robe and hat, holding an open book and a small architectural element. Set against a gold‑leaf background, his downward gaze conveys a mood of introspection, characteristic of devotional images intended for private contemplation.
Subject & Meaning
The work identifies Jerome, traditionally shown as a hermit scholar translating the Bible into Latin. The book symbolizes his linguistic labor, while the miniature building alludes to his time spent in the desert or his role as a patron of monastic architecture. The serene expression and muted palette reinforce the saint’s reputation for piety and intellectual rigor.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera on wood, the painting employs the Italo‑Byzantine aesthetic prevalent in late‑15th‑century Venice. Gold leaf forms a luminous backdrop, and the figures are rendered with linear clarity and restrained color modulation. Crivelli’s handling of the beard and fabric demonstrates a meticulous brushwork that balances decorative surface with a subtle sense of volume.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Vittore Crivelli, an Italian painter active in Venice from roughly 1440 to 1502, the panel originally formed part of a larger altarpiece. It entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display, offering insight into the devotional practices and artistic conventions of its era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vittorio (or Vittore) Crivelli (c. 1440 – 1501 or 1502) was an Italian painter and brother of Carlo Crivelli. His works are similar in style to his brother's, but less accomplished. He was born and died in…
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