Saint Jerome in His Study, 1514

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Engravingexpand_more

Bequest of Herschel V. Jonesexpand_more  P.68.145

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This engraving has always been regarded as one of Albrecht Dürer’s masterpieces. The scholarly Saint Jerome (c. 347–420 CE) diligently translates the Bible while sitting in his cozy study. He is accompanied by a lion who became his faithful companion when Jerome removed a thorn from its paw. Besides being kind to animals, Jerome was humble yet tremendously learned, able to translate the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin, a language everyday people could read. Dürer treats us to a spectacular display of light entering through tiny round window panes. Jerome’s halo flares even brighter. The metaphorical connection between physical light and spiritual enlightenment is inescapable.

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Details
Title
Saint Jerome in His Study
Artist Life
1471–1528
Role
Artist
Accession Number
P.68.145
Provenance
Duke of Buccleuch Coll. (L. 402); (Frederick Keppel, 1915); Herschel V. Jones, Minneapolis, until 1928; by descent to Tessie Jones; bequest to MIA, 1968
Catalogue Raisonne
Meder 59 a/f; Hollstein 59; Strauss 77
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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