Caravaggist, 1st half of the 17th Century, Saint Jerome

The great role model Michelangelo Merisi, called Caravaggio, (1571-1610), who spread his influence throughout Europe in the 17th century, is also evidenced by this masterfully painted painting of St. Jerome. He is one of the half-length saints most frequently depicted by the Caravaggists. The biblical scene is shown theatrically in the present painting in a strong light-dark contrast with bright red, white and dark brown-gray. Meditating and reading with his skull as a memento mori close at hand, he spends his days in absolute solitude. His red cardinal's hat hanging on a stump on the right and his red robe, which is loosely wrapped around his shoulder and enveloping his body, refer to his time as a cardinal. The dynamic and at the same time soft material treatment of the composition as a night piece is reminiscent of some individual figures of old men; Works by Honthort, however, the more dramatic conception and the stronger light contrast, which is decreasing the Neapolitan influences, move the Hieronymus painting into the immediate vicinity of Matthias Stomer and Pietro Paolini.
Dimensions:
97,5 x 72 cm
Medium:
Oil on canvas