St. Jerome Praying
Claude Mellan · 1665 · Art Institute of Chicago
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From the museum
Penitent and disheveled, Jerome kneels in front of a crucifix and the Bible that he had translated into Latin. In his hand, he clutches the stone that he often used to beat his breast. Behind him, a skull peers out at the viewer, a reminder of the transience of life on earth. Other attributes of Jerome abound: the robe and hat in the foreground signify his appointment to the office of cardinal under Pope Damascus I, the glasses and book represent his learned character, and the lion in the distant background recalls the legend that Jerome once pulled a thorn out of the beast's paw.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC BY 4.0
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Details
- Maker
- Claude Mellan, French, 1598-1688
- Date
- 1665
- Medium
- Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
- Dimensions
- Plate: 44.5 × 29.8 cm (17 9/16 × 11 3/4 in.); Sheet: 44.7 × 30.2 cm (17 5/8 × 11 15/16 in.)
- Place of origin
- France
- Held by
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · Not on view
- Credit line
- Elizabeth Hammond Stickney Collection
Image: Art Institute of Chicago, CC0
