Artifact World Gallery
Get the iOS app

Saint Jerome by Hendrick ter Brugghen

Hendrick ter Brugghen · 1621-01-01

Hendrick ter Brugghen's 'Saint Jerome' from 1621, housed in the Rijksmuseum, holds a significant place in art market history. This powerful depiction of the meditating saint made headlines for its impressive sale price, solidifying ter Brugghen's legacy.

Notice the dramatic chiaroscuro, a signature technique of the Utrecht Caravaggisti, where light and shadow create intense emotional depth. The saint's furrowed brow, the skull, and the open book all speak to themes of mortality and profound contemplation.

In 1993, this 'Saint Jerome' sold at auction for 6.6 million British pounds, setting a new world record for the artist. This remarkable sum, equivalent to over $10 million today, highlights the enduring appeal and recognized artistic merit of ter Brugghen's work. The sale cemented his status among the most sought-after Dutch Masters.

What details in the painting do you find most striking, knowing its value on the global art market?

Details

In 1993, a private seller auctioned this 'Saint Jerome.'
In 1993, a private seller auctioned this 'Saint Jerome.'
It sold for a stunning 6.6 million British pounds.
It sold for a stunning 6.6 million British pounds.
That's over $10 million in today's money, for one painting.
That's over $10 million in today's money, for one painting.
The sale set a world record for the painter, Hendrick ter Brugghen.
The sale set a world record for the painter, Hendrick ter Brugghen.
Jerome's Vulgate , scripture literally underlies the skull, visually arguing that study and salvation are inseparable
Jerome's Vulgate , scripture literally underlies the skull, visually arguing that study and salvation are inseparable
Transcript

This somber painting hides a surprising financial past. In 1993, a private seller auctioned this 'Saint Jerome.' It sold for a stunning 6.6 million British pounds. That's over $10 million in today's money, for one painting. The sale set a world record for the painter, Hendrick ter Brugghen. A price that reflects its intense drama and mastery of light.