Kerkvader Hieronymus 1500 - 1520

This woodcut of Saint Jerome was made by Erhard Schön in the first half of the 16th century. Schön lived during the rise of the Reformation, a period defined by religious reform and social upheaval which challenged the traditional representations of the Catholic Church. Here, Jerome, a key figure in the early Church, is depicted with a halo, holding a book – a nod to his translation of the Bible into Latin. His loyal companion, the lion, is also present. What I find really compelling is how Schön navigates representing religious figures during a period of iconoclasm. While he adheres to the traditional iconography, Schön’s choice of the woodcut medium, typically used for more accessible, popular imagery, democratizes the image of the saint. The artist's subtle shift embodies the tension of the times, between honoring tradition and embracing the changing religious landscape.