St. Jerome Hears the Last Trumpet 1626

Jusepe de Ribera's "St. Jerome Hears the Last Trumpet" (1626) is a dramatic portrayal of the saint's final moments. Depicted in a darkened setting, St. Jerome is seated on a rock, his gaze fixed on a winged angel blowing a trumpet overhead. His emaciated physique and the presence of a skull emphasize his contemplation of mortality. Ribera's use of tenebrism, a stark contrast of light and shadow, enhances the emotional impact of the scene. This painting, now in the Hermitage Museum, demonstrates Ribera's skill in capturing the dramatic and the devotional in a single composition.