St. Jerome in his Study 1432

Jan van Eyck's "St. Jerome in His Study" (1432) is a small-scale oil painting depicting the influential theologian and translator St. Jerome. Known for his detailed realism, Eyck meticulously rendered Jerome's study, overflowing with books, writing implements, and scientific tools, including an hourglass, a compass, and a vial of what may be ink. The saint, wearing a crimson robe, is shown intently reading a book while his lion companion lies at his feet. This intimate portrayal, now located in the Detroit Institute of Arts, exemplifies Early Netherlandish painting's attention to detail and its exploration of the complexities of human thought and faith.