Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow 1512

Albrecht Dürer's "Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow" (1512) is a powerful engraving that showcases the artist's mastery of detail and realistic depiction. The composition features Saint Jerome, a prominent Church Father, in a contemplative pose as he translates the Bible. He is seated in a rocky landscape, with a lion at his feet, a symbol of his taming of the beastly nature of humanity. Dürer's meticulous depiction of both the human figure and the natural world emphasizes the importance of study and contemplation in the pursuit of religious knowledge. The engraving exemplifies the Northern Renaissance's interest in realism and detail, making it a classic example of Dürer's artistic style.