St. Jerome and the Angel 1621

Jusepe de Ribera's etching "St. Jerome and the Angel" (1621) depicts the saint in a moment of solitude and contemplation. St. Jerome is shown in a state of decay, his emaciated body resting against a rocky outcrop. An angel, with wings spread and a trumpet in hand, hovers above him. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique emphasizing strong contrasts between light and dark, contributes to the dramatic atmosphere of the piece. The etching exemplifies the artistic style of Ribera, known for his intense realism and depictions of suffering, which was common in the Baroque period.