Saint Jerome
c. 1605-1606 Galleria Borghese, Rome
About this artwork
A dramatic oil painting depicting Saint Jerome, an elderly, bald, and bearded man with a halo, intensely writing in a large book with a quill. A human skull rests on another book beside him, emphasizing mortality and spiritual contemplation.
Did you know?
Saint Jerome, known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), is a frequent subject in art, often depicted with a skull to symbolize memento mori. Caravaggio's mastery of chiaroscuro is evident here, using stark contrasts of light and shadow to create a profound sense of drama and focus on the saint's intense spiritual and intellectual labor. This particular version is one of several Caravaggio painted.
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Saint Jerome
Michelangelo da Caravaggio, c. 1605-1606
