Der Heilige Hieronymus aus Raffaels Disputa 20 - 1823

Moritz Daniel Oppenheim rendered this image of St. Jerome, derived from Raphael’s Disputa. Jerome, with his furrowed brow and long beard, is an emblem of wisdom and penitence, revered as a translator of the Bible. His likeness evokes a lineage of contemplative figures stretching back to antiquity. Consider the recurring motif of the aged scholar in Western art—often depicted with similar features, absorbed in thought. This image echoes through centuries; like the philosopher lost in reflection, a symbol of intellectual pursuit. The psychological weight of Jerome’s image lies in his quiet intensity. The drawing possesses the power to stir something deep within us, a resonance with our own contemplations. Indeed, the image of Jerome is not a mere representation but a return—a motif that continues to evolve, prompting introspection across time.