Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 16th Century.
Born in Stridon, Dalmatia, Saint Jerome (342-420) is celebrated both for his translation of the Bible into Latin and his rigorous spiritual discipline. As a young man, he undertook a gruelling period of self-denial while living as a hermit in the Syrian desert with ‘only the scorpions and the wild beasts for company’. In an effort to abandon all worldly desires, he practised ‘self-mortification’ by repeatedly striking his chest with a stone and a knotted piece of rope. His story became particularly pertinent during the Counter-Reformation.
Here, he’s shown with various symbols relating to his time in isolation, including a skull, representing the mortality of mankind, a book, as a reference to his scholarly activities, and a lion, which became a loyal companion when he removed a thorn from its paw. He looks forlornly upon a crucifix.
On Maerten de Vos’ original design, a Latin inscription reads ‘Peccarunt Anima, & Corpus; tu Christe, dolentis’, which translates as ‘Soul and body have sinned; you, Christ, are the one who suffers’. During the late 16th century, engravings after Maertin De Vos were distributed widely in Italy and Spain, with numerous works produced in their image. At times, these were adapted with a certain amount of artistic licence, but here, we see a relatively faithful interpretation. It was probably intended for private worship.
Held in a contemporary handmade Italian-style Cassetta frame with gilt detailing.
Medium: Oil on copper
Overall size: 12” x 13½” / 30cm x 35cm
Year of creation: c. 1590
Provenance: Private collection, Italy.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Very fine craquelure throughout. Areas of historic retouching. Frame in excellent condition.
Our reference: BRV2148
Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 16th Century.
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Late 16th-century Italian School, Saint Jerome the Penitent, Old Master Religious Painting
