Heilige Hieronymus Aemilianus met knielende jongen 1748 - 1752

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo created this print of Saint Jerome Aemilian, likely in Venice, in the latter half of the 18th century. It depicts the saint and founder of the Somaschi order, standing over a kneeling boy who is holding a text. Prints such as these helped to spread devotion and religious instruction in 18th century Italy. Venice was a major centre for printing and the Catholic church was an important patron. Tiepolo’s image encourages devotion to Saint Jerome, who devoted his life to caring for orphans. The print may have been commissioned by the Somaschi order to promote their charitable work. To understand prints like these, we can look to the archives of religious orders and confraternities. These institutions shaped the social landscape of Venice and used images to communicate their values. Paying attention to the historical context helps us interpret how images like this worked in their own time.