Heilige Hieronymus met pen en papier en kruis en leeuw 1623 - 1660

Pieter de Bailliu created this engraving of Saint Jerome with pen, paper, cross, and lion sometime in the 17th century. The artist was working in the wake of the Council of Trent which sought to define and defend Catholic doctrine. This print thus participates in the Catholic Reformation’s interest in its own history, and the heroic nature of its early Church Fathers like Jerome. We see him here in his guise as scholar, translator, and penitent. The image presents a complex interplay between religious devotion and artistic skill. Jerome, often seen as a figure of masculine intellect, is rendered with a certain vulnerability, emphasizing his humanity alongside his saintly attributes. The lion at his side, traditionally a symbol of strength, here softens the composition, suggesting companionship and humility. The halo emphasizes the emotional and personal dimensions of faith. The print invites us to contemplate the role of individuals in shaping religious and intellectual traditions. It’s a testament to the enduring power of faith and knowledge but also to the emotional labor of the men who wrote, and wrote about, the early history of the church.