De heilige Hieronymus 1622 - 1691

Editor: We're looking at "The Holy Jerome," an etching made sometime between 1622 and 1691 by Lorenzo Loli. I find the stark contrast between the rough lines of Jerome’s body and the delicate details in the cherubs quite striking. What stands out to you, looking at this piece? Curator: Primarily, the manipulation of line becomes significant. Consider how line is employed to denote mass, shadow, and even emotional states. Notice how the artist juxtaposes denser, almost frantic hatching in the darker regions against more sparsely distributed lines elsewhere, modulating visual texture. This contributes greatly to a heightened sense of drama, typical of Baroque sensibilities. Do you see how the figure almost spills out of the plane? Editor: Yes, there's a tension between the defined and undefined areas, creating a dynamic sense of movement. Is there anything to note regarding the symbolic components and how they're spatially related? Curator: Precisely! Note the intentional spatial relationships that structure a network of signs: skull to crucifix, book to figure, and angels to the sleeping Hieronymus. How the visual harmony is dependent on their interaction is particularly compelling. Editor: That’s really interesting. It emphasizes how even in a relatively simple etching, there are layers of compositional decisions impacting our reading. Thank you! Curator: A pleasure. Appreciating the work is enriched by attending to form as the carrier of complex meanings.