Saint Jerome n.d.

This drawing of Saint Jerome by Spanish Baroque artist Jusepe de Ribera, completed sometime in the early 17th century, features a detailed depiction of the saint in a prayerful pose. Jerome, known for his scholarship and devotion to the church, is portrayed in a naturalistic style, a hallmark of Ribera's work. The artist utilizes brushstrokes and shading to highlight the saint's physicality, emphasizing his age and piety. The composition features the saint kneeling in a landscape, the cross in the background hinting at Jerome's life dedicated to religious contemplation. The drawing is a study for a larger painting, demonstrating Ribera's meticulous approach to his art. The work is now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it offers viewers a glimpse into the artist's creative process.