St. Jerome c. mid 1720s

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created this ink wash drawing, St. Jerome, during the 18th century, a time characterized by the grandeur of the late Baroque and the emergence of Rococo styles. Tiepolo’s St. Jerome, a Christian scholar, appears caught in a moment of intense reflection. His face is etched with the weight of knowledge, his eyes gazing upwards as if seeking divine guidance. Clutching a skull, he is a symbol of mortality and the transient nature of human existence. While the church emphasized Jerome's intellectual contributions, here we see the emotional and psychological dimensions of his devotion. Tiepolo's handling of light and shadow heightens the drama, enveloping Jerome in a tenebrous atmosphere that speaks to the inner struggles of faith and doubt. The artwork challenges traditional representations of saints as stoic figures, by offering a more human and emotionally resonant portrayal. It emphasizes the personal journey of faith. It asks us to reflect on how we grapple with questions of existence, meaning, and mortality.