St. Jerome c. 1872 - 1879

William Merritt Chase's "St. Jerome" is a painting from the late 19th century, portraying the iconic saint in a contemplative pose. The painting is a testament to Chase's skill in capturing the human figure, with St. Jerome's muscular physique and weathered face rendered with striking realism. The subject's contemplative gaze and the presence of a skull in his hand evoke themes of mortality and spiritual reflection. The painting's rich, dark palette creates an atmosphere of introspective contemplation, further emphasized by the ethereal presence of an angel above.