Polyptych of Cervara: St. Jerome 1506

This is "Polyptych of Cervara: St. Jerome" painted by Gerard David. The painting is made with oil paint, a medium that allowed for a new kind of realism in the 15th and 16th centuries. Oil paint allowed artists to apply thin layers of pigment and manipulate its texture. Oil paint is significant because of its capacity to capture intricate detail and smooth surfaces. Notice the rich red robe of St. Jerome, the gleam of the metal staff, and the soft fur of the lion. These were all made possible by the qualities of the medium, and the artist’s skill with it. The use of oil paint elevates the status of the artwork, distinguishing it from the more humble traditions of craft. However, the careful observation and skill in rendering all these different textures also connects it to those traditions. David creates an image that appeals to the viewer’s senses. The work is not only about religious devotion, but also about the experience of materials, and the transformation of simple stuff, like colored pigment, into something of immense value.