Saint Jerome Writing 18th-19th century

Editor: This is Carl Ernst Christoph Hess's "Saint Jerome Writing." I’m immediately struck by the contrast between Saint Jerome's intense focus and the symbolic imagery surrounding him, like the skull. What societal dynamics might Hess be highlighting through this contrast? Curator: Consider how the image reinforces traditional power structures. Jerome, as a religious scholar, is literally writing the narrative, while the skull represents those marginalized and silenced by that narrative. How does the lion, a symbol of strength and royalty, complicate this reading? Editor: So, the lion could represent the institutional power backing Jerome's interpretation? It’s interesting to think about who benefits from and is excluded by the stories we tell. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question whose voices are centered and whose are erased in the construction of history and religious doctrine. Hess’s work challenges us to critically examine these power dynamics. Editor: That is a great way to contextualize art in society. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Seeing art as a reflection of power can reveal uncomfortable truths about our own world.