St. Jerome 1440

Fra Angelico’s depiction of Saint Jerome is marked by verticality and simplicity. The figure is presented within a narrow panel, a format which encourages the eye to travel upwards, emphasizing Jerome’s elongated form. The saint's body is simplified to a near-geometric form, wrapped in a robe of muted colors, cinched at the waist with a contrasting black belt. This echoes a common trope in Italian Renaissance art, which is the reduction of the human form to geometric elements. The book held by Jerome acts as a focal point; its sharp, rectangular shape contrasting with the softness of the saint's face and beard. The halo, constructed of circular rings, furthers this interplay of simple shapes. The texture of the background, rough and uneven, plays against the relative smoothness of Jerome's skin and clothing. This juxtaposition isn't merely decorative; it creates a visual hierarchy, pushing Jerome forward as an object of contemplation. The function of Fra Angelico's composition, in essence, is to direct our gaze and our thoughts.