16th Century Late Renaissance Figure of Saint Jerome

A striking Northern European life-size depiction of Saint Jerome created in the time of the Late Renaissance.

Saint Jerome, born Eusebius Hieronymus, was a renowned Christian scholar, theologian and historian. He appears holding an open book and has a large bulging head and high forehead alluding to Jerome’s erudition and his translation of the Bible into Latin. His red robe symbolising his connection to the cardinal’s office, and the book represents his scholarly pursuits. 

Shown half-naked, signifying his ascetic lifestyle and his dedication to discipline , austerity and penance.  A refusal of worldly comforts and his commitment to spiritual contemplation.  His emaciated exposed chest is additionally a reference to when in the wilderness he repeatedly stuck himself with a rock to overcome visions of the secular pleasures of Rome.

The carving has great similarities with the Antwerp Mannerist painters. We can also compare his likeness to the painting “Saint Jerome” by The Master of the Lille Adoration (active in Antwerp c.1523/35.

Carved and wonderfully polychromed, he is a dramatic and wondrous figure.