Penitent Saint Jerome 1625 - 1681

This is Lucas Franchoys the Younger's rendering of "Penitent Saint Jerome" done with pen and brown ink. Franchoys, who lived in the historically complex and often turbulent 17th century, captures a moment of introspection. Jerome, traditionally depicted as a scholar, is here transformed into a figure of contemplation, his aging body exposed, his hands clasped in prayer. The choice to represent Jerome in such a vulnerable state invites us to consider themes of aging, repentance, and spiritual reckoning within the context of the Catholic Church. Franchoys’s Saint Jerome is not just a religious icon; he's a man stripped bare, confronting his own mortality. This drawing allows us to meditate on our own human frailties, our search for meaning, and the complexities inherent in faith and doubt.