Saint Jerome n.d.

This drawing, "Saint Jerome," of unknown date, was made with pen and brown ink, and brown wash, over black chalk. It presents Saint Jerome, a key figure in the history of the Catholic Church, who is often depicted in art to symbolize penitence and scholarship. Here, Jerome is in the throes of penance, kneeling in the wilderness, a skull at his side reminding us of mortality. We don't know the circumstances that led to the creation of this drawing, nor its intended audience. But consider the power of images during the early modern period as tools for instilling devotion and shaping religious identity. The artist uses line and shadow to convey Jerome's physical and spiritual struggle. The drawing invites contemplation on themes of guilt, redemption, and the complex relationship between the body and the spirit. In a society grappling with religious upheaval and the ever-present reality of death, this small drawing speaks volumes about the human condition and the search for meaning.