The Virgin with Saints Jerome and Francis 1660 - 1680

Curator: Girolamo Rossi the Elder’s print, “The Virgin with Saints Jerome and Francis," created sometime between 1660 and 1680, depicts the Madonna and Child elevated amongst saints and angels. It has such an ethereal feel, almost like a dream. What do you make of it? Editor: I'm immediately struck by its Baroque sensibility—the dynamism, the intense emotionality. The composition, though traditional in its hierarchical arrangement, feels quite radical, almost confrontational in its drama. I mean, look at how the figures are reaching out. Curator: Right! I see this reaching, like figures breaking through a veil—this divine presence revealed by layers, one lifting upon another, light catching on Saint Francis's robe as he rises toward the Madonna. Editor: That interaction between Francis and the Virgin also resonates strongly. I am reminded of recent discussions surrounding women and their relationships to religious and political establishments throughout the course of history. Notice the lion at Saint Jerome's feet too. The traditional symbol of Saint Mark seems misplaced. Do you have thoughts on this? Curator: That's quite right. To me, Jerome is one of art history’s great anchors in paintings. Look how steadfastly he interprets scripture. Rossi frames Jerome's scholarship with such reverence! But there is something truly captivating in the way light dances across all of their faces! Editor: Absolutely, there’s a complex conversation unfolding here. It encapsulates an Italian Renaissance that wrestles with tradition. Rossi positions his subjects to explore how those sacred narratives adapt and endure through cultural shifts. Curator: It feels timeless, doesn't it? A kind of transcendent harmony... But also a human connection in their expressions, inviting you to join their realm. Editor: Precisely! The Virgin is no longer simply a remote symbol, but a figure engaged in active dialogue with those around her. Girolamo Rossi has masterfully portrayed a symbolic embrace across centuries. Curator: Well said. It seems we are invited to our own encounter here today, tracing whispers from Rossi across the centuries! Editor: It really gives one a lot to think about, the power of narrative, its ongoing construction, and our place within it.