The Vision of Saint Jerome 1763 - 1764

Jean-Honoré Fragonard created this undated etching, "The Vision of Saint Jerome," during a period of shifting religious and intellectual landscapes in 18th-century France. Fragonard, working in the wake of the Enlightenment, brings a unique sensibility to this religious subject. The print depicts Saint Jerome, a figure known for his translation of the Bible, in a moment of divine inspiration. We see angels, traditional figures of revelation, guiding the Saint. In the historical context of the Enlightenment, where reason and empirical evidence gained prominence, the depiction of religious ecstasy takes on new meaning. Fragonard's delicate lines and use of light capture not just a religious vision, but also the profound internal experience of enlightenment and discovery. Fragonard invites us to witness a moment of intense personal and spiritual experience, reflecting a broader cultural movement towards individualism. Through Saint Jerome's vision, Fragonard explores the tension between traditional faith and the emerging values of reason and individualism.