Heilige Hieronymus als boeteling 1821 - 1879

This etching of Saint Jerome as a penitent was made by Isaac Lambertus Cremer van den Berch van Heemstede. The composition centers on the figure of Saint Jerome, hunched over a book, with a cross standing starkly behind him. The texture of the etching creates a muted, almost ghostly effect. The artist's use of line is particularly striking. Notice how the lines are not just descriptive but also expressive, conveying a sense of the saint’s inner turmoil and ascetic devotion. The skull acts as a semiotic signifier. Its presence serves as a vanitas symbol to evoke a sense of morality and reflection on mortality. Ultimately, this print is a powerful study in the structural use of line and form, inviting us to consider how visual elements work together to destabilize established meanings. It emphasizes interpretation and meaning through the formal qualities of the artwork.