H. Hieronymus c. 1630 - 1650

Cornelis Galle I created this print of H. Hieronymus, or Saint Jerome, in the early 17th century. The image was achieved through engraving, a printmaking technique involving meticulous carving into a metal plate. The fine lines that define the figure and the landscape showcase the engraver’s skill, while the contrasting areas of light and shadow create depth. It is a testament to the engraver’s mastery to translate painterly effects into the graphic language of black and white. Galle expertly uses line and texture to mimic the tonal range usually found in drawings or paintings. Consider the labor invested in such a work. Each line on the plate required deliberate, precise action. Prints like this were luxury goods that were consumed by a select group of people, a status that elevated printmaking from a trade to an art form. This work, made with the traditional tools of engraving, asks us to reflect on the cultural and economic forces at play in its creation.