H. Hieronymus 1512 - 1600

This small print, made in the Netherlands around 1500 by an anonymous artist, shows St. Jerome writing in a landscape. But this image goes beyond a simple depiction of a saint. It shows the place of religious scholarship in the culture of the time. The print’s composition places Jerome in a liminal space, between nature and civilization. The lion at his side and the gnarled trees around him suggest a wilder world. Yet, in the distance, we see a town with orderly buildings and a ship at sea, representing human enterprise. The crucifix next to Jerome is a potent symbol of the Church. In a sense, the artist here is grappling with questions about the role of the Church in society. Is it separate from everyday life, or is it a guide? The meaning of this print is deeply embedded in its historical context, and by studying such images, along with other historical sources, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, religion, and society in the early 16th century.