Heilige Hieronymus in de wildernis 1600

Francesco Villamena etched this image of Saint Jerome in the wilderness. Here, Jerome, a scholar, is depicted with the crucifix, skull, and hourglass: emblems of mortality and the transient nature of time. The crucifix serves as a stark reminder of Christ's sacrifice and a beacon of hope amidst life's trials. Note the skull and hourglass, memento mori, urging reflection on the brevity of earthly existence. Consider how the skull appears also in vanitas paintings as a symbol of inevitable death and decay. It urges us to remember the ever-ticking clock, as seen in the hourglass. In this setting, the objects are not merely symbols but tools for introspection. The presence of these motifs speaks to a deeper, perhaps subconscious, human preoccupation with mortality and the quest for meaning in life.