Saint Jerome in Penitence 1525

Bernardino Luini's "Saint Jerome in Penitence" (1525) portrays the patron saint of scholars, Jerome, in a traditional scene of contemplation and solitude. The painting depicts Saint Jerome seated in a cave, clad in a red robe, his hand resting on his chest in prayer. A lion, often associated with Jerome, stands in the foreground, while a crucifix with a small figure of Christ is visible behind him. The background features a picturesque landscape with mountains, a river, and a distant village. The composition emphasizes the saint's introspective state as he contemplates his faith in the face of mortality, symbolized by the skull in his hand. Luini's meticulous detail and gentle rendering of light contribute to the painting's serene atmosphere, a hallmark of his style.