Heilige Hieronymus bij crucifix, boek en schedel 1746 - 1765

This is James McArdell's "Saint Jerome with Crucifix, Book, and Skull," a work produced in the 18th century. Here we find Jerome kneeling, holding a crucifix aloft, surrounded by potent symbols of mortality and divinity. Note the skull, a memento mori, a reminder of life's fleeting nature, juxtaposed with the open book, an emblem of knowledge and enlightenment. These symbols, deeply rooted in Christian iconography, echo through centuries. The crucifix itself—a symbol of suffering and redemption—reappears in countless forms. Even in ancient pagan rituals, we find similar totems of sacrifice and spiritual transcendence. Consider the lion, too, a traditional attribute of Jerome, said to have been tamed by the saint. It’s a motif found throughout the ancient world, from Mesopotamian art to Greek mythology, often representing strength, courage, and divine power. It shows how powerful images engage us on a subconscious level, reminding us of our collective, cultural memory. These symbols and gestures convey intense emotional and psychological states that have evolved in meaning through history.