Saint Jerome and the Lion c. 1509

This woodcut of Saint Jerome and the Lion was made by an anonymous artist in the fifteenth or sixteenth century. In this detailed print, we see the learned saint extracting a thorn from the paw of a lion. The story of Saint Jerome was often used in the early modern period to demonstrate the power of knowledge over the natural world. Jerome lived as a hermit and translated the bible, connecting him to the important themes of piety and learning. Prints like this were part of an expanding visual culture, and we might consider how the format of printmaking helped to democratize the image of the scholar. The intended audience for the print, and the context in which it was meant to be viewed, might offer insight into the print’s meaning. By studying this artwork and its historical context, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural values and beliefs of the society that produced it. Historians use primary sources and other research resources to understand artworks within their social and institutional contexts.