Penitent Saint Jerome c. 1755

Editor: This is Nicolas-Dauphin de Beauvais’s "Penitent Saint Jerome," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels heavy, full of remorse. What symbols jump out to you? Curator: Notice the lion. Traditionally, Saint Jerome is depicted with a lion, symbolizing courage and royalty, but here, it also represents Jerome’s mastery over his primal instincts. It speaks to the cultural memory of saints taming wild beasts, and the psychological control over oneself. Editor: So the lion isn’t just a lion; it’s a reflection of Jerome's internal struggle? Curator: Precisely. And the book beside them, a signifier of scripture, contrasts sharply with the raw wilderness. What does this suggest to you? Editor: It's the tension between intellect and the natural world, a common theme in depictions of saints seeking enlightenment. Curator: It is indeed. The continuity of such symbolism throughout art history reveals the enduring human quest for balance between these realms. Editor: I hadn't considered the interplay of these symbols. Thank you!