San Jerónimo, Santa Margarita y San Francisco by Giacomo Raibolini

Giacomo Raibolini's San Jerónimo, Santa Margarita y San Francisco, painted around 1518, is a religious masterpiece at the Museo del Prado. The painting features three revered saints in a contemplative desert setting.

Observe Saint Jerome looking upwards, Saint Margaret with her symbolic palm frond, and Saint Francis engrossed in scripture. Notice the lion and dragon, traditional attributes for Jerome and Margaret respectively.

Giacomo Francia, trained by his father Francesco Francia, took over the family workshop in Bologna. This work, created in oil paint, reflects the Italian Renaissance style, showing influences from Raphael.

The truly hidden detail lies in a faint inscription at the bottom right. Can you make it out?

Details

Saint Jerome looks up to heaven.
Saint Jerome looks up to heaven.
This iconic attribute of Saint Jerome represents his taming of wild beasts or his strength against evil.
This iconic attribute of Saint Jerome represents his taming of wild beasts or his strength against evil.
Transcript

Three saints are gathered here. Saint Jerome looks up to heaven. Saint Margaret holds a palm frond. Saint Francis is absorbed in his book. This painting was made in 1518. Look closely at the bottom right. A faint inscription marks the spot.