Saint Jerome 1797

Curator: This is Jean Jacques de Boissieu's "Saint Jerome," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s an etching, rendered with meticulous detail. What strikes you first? Editor: It’s the solitude. The man, so absorbed, appears to be completely swallowed by the forest, as if his thoughts are as dense as the surrounding foliage. Curator: Indeed. The choice of etching allows for a remarkable control over the distribution of ink, thus creating a nuanced tonal range. The labor involved certainly mirrors Jerome's scholarly dedication. Editor: I love how he's framed by that gnarled tree, mirroring his own aged form. And is that a little donkey back there, peeking from behind the ramshackle structure? Curator: Perhaps. It is a subtle detail that might speak to the social context. It's possible this was part of a series intended for private devotion, subtly hinting at the realities beyond the saint’s hermitage. Editor: It makes you wonder about the relationship between physical labor and spiritual work. Curator: Exactly. A fitting point to ponder. Editor: Absolutely. It's a piece that keeps whispering new questions.