Saint Jerome 1763 - 1764

Curator: This etching, "Saint Jerome" by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, immediately gives off an ethereal, almost feverish, quality. Editor: Yes, I notice that the rough, almost frantic lines emphasize the physicality of the saint’s body—the strain in his pose, the texture of his skin. What can you tell me about the making of this print? Curator: Fragonard was a master of capturing the emotional intensity of religious experience. Saint Jerome, a Doctor of the Church, is shown in a state of divine inspiration. The angel and the figure with the book are symbols of spiritual enlightenment. Editor: The material reality is quite interesting. We see the artist pushing the boundaries of the etching process. The heavy lines suggest acid biting deeply into the plate, an almost violent creation. Curator: Indeed! The visual language amplifies the cultural narrative of Jerome grappling with scripture. Editor: The process reinforces a narrative, here one of intense labor and revelation. Curator: Absolutely, it's a fascinating interaction between form and symbolism. Editor: A dance between the spiritual and the material, wouldn't you agree?