H. Hieronymus lezend bij kaarslicht 1613 - 1665

Salomon Savery created this print, *H. Hieronymus lezend bij kaarslicht*, sometime in the 17th century, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition, dominated by chiaroscuro, immediately evokes a sense of contemplative introspection. The stark contrast between light and shadow is not merely representational, but structural. The light source, presumably a candle, sculpts the figure of Saint Jerome, emphasizing the textures of his skin, beard, and the pages of the book. Savery uses light to create a visual hierarchy: the book is illuminated, suggesting its primacy as a source of knowledge. Consider the semiotic implications of this. Light, traditionally a symbol of enlightenment, contrasts with the enveloping darkness, signifying ignorance or the unknown. The act of reading, then, becomes an active struggle against obscurity. This reflects broader cultural codes of the period, where knowledge was both a privilege and a path to divine understanding. The formal elements of the print thus serve as a philosophical statement, questioning the boundaries between knowledge and ignorance.