St Jerome (c. 347 - 419/20) was a Christian priest, theologian and historian renowned for his translation of the Bible into Latin (known as the Vulgate) as well as his commentaries on the gospels. He was one of the favoured saints during the sixteenth century, as Renaissance humanists were attracted to his pursuit of knowledge and deep Christian faith.
St Jerome (c. 347 - 419/20) was a Christian priest, theologian and historian renowned for his translation of the Bible into Latin (known as the Vulgate) as well as his commentaries on the gospels. He was one of the favoured saints during the sixteenth century, as Renaissance humanists were attracted to his pursuit of knowledge and deep Christian faith.
In this engraving, Dürer has represented Jerome as the ideal scholar; he sits in isolation and is completely absorbed in what he is writing. A halo illuminates the back of his head as he undertakes this divine, intellectual work. Jerome is an exemplar of Christian virtue: he is dressed in cardinal’s robes and a cardinal’s hat hangs on the wall behind him and this anachronistic costume reinforces Dürer’s representation of Jerome as a man of the church.
The serene atmosphere in this image is reinforced by the sharp articulation of one-point perspective. The orthogonal lines of beams and floorboards lead viewers’ eyes towards a fixed point at the end of Jerome’s study. This rational interpretation of space conveys a sense of clarity and stability. It reflects universal, and thus divine mathematical principles, which organise the world in a cohesive and harmonious way.
In front of Jerome’s desk, a lion rests beside a sleeping dog. According to legend, Jerome adopted the lion after pulling a thorn from its paw and domesticated this wild animal. Dürer depicts the lion subdued by Jerome’s care as it lies peacefully within his saintly domain.
In juxtaposition against Jerome’s halo which speaks of his Godly endeavours, the skull on his windowsill is a reminder of human mortality. This skull represents the fate of earthly beings whom, unlike the divine, will perish. Against the finitude of earthly existence, the spiritual remains eternal.