De heilige Hieronymus c. 1583 - 1585

This etching, "De heilige Hieronymus," by Annibale Carracci, depicts Saint Jerome, a revered figure in the Catholic Church, in contemplation. Created between 1583 and 1585, the work shows the saint in a moment of quiet study, his hand delicately adjusting his glasses as he reads a book. Saint Jerome's association with the lion, a symbol of his strength and wisdom, is subtly suggested by the presence of a skull and a cross in the composition. The etching is now part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam, and is a testament to Carracci's mastery of line and detail.