Heilige Hieronymus schrijvend in een boek 1519

Sebald Beham made this tiny etching of Saint Jerome writing in a book around 1524. This image speaks to the transformative power of the printing press during the Reformation. Beham was one of the German “Little Masters,” a group of printmakers known for their small, intricate works. Living in Nuremberg during a time of religious and social upheaval, he was influenced by the humanist ideas of the Renaissance and the religious reformations led by Martin Luther. The image creates meaning through the halo, a visual symbol of holiness. The act of writing and interpreting sacred texts was central to both Renaissance humanism and the Protestant Reformation, as religious reformers wanted individuals to have a more direct relationship with the Bible. Examining Beham's work encourages us to consider how art was shaped by social and religious movements, reflecting the changing attitudes toward the church, knowledge, and individual interpretation. Art historians consult a variety of primary sources such as letters, inventories, and guild records to discover the social and institutional contexts in which artists like Beham worked.