This late 16th-century Italian School oil on copper depicts Saint Jerome in penitence, contemplating Christ’s crucifixion, while holding a stone to his chest, with a landscape beyond. It’s based upon an engraving (c.1580) attributed to Raphaėl Sadeler (1560/61-1628/32), which is after a design by Flemish painter, Maerten de Vos (1532-1603).
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
Internal Reference: BRV2148
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1169382
Dateline of this antique is 16th Century
Height is 35cm (13.8inches)Width is 30cm (11.8inches)Depth is 2cm (0.8inches)
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