Saint Jerome 1874

Jean-Léon Gérôme’s “Saint Jerome” (1874) depicts the famed scholar and saint, Saint Jerome, lying peacefully next to a lion in a cave. This scene is based on a popular legend in which Saint Jerome cured a lion's paw, leading to a bond between the two. Gérôme’s masterful realism, characteristic of his academic style, brings the scene to life, showcasing the intricacies of the lion’s fur and the details of Jerome’s weathered face. This artwork, now housed in the Städel Museum, exemplifies Gérôme’s ability to infuse historical and biblical narratives with meticulous detail and lifelike accuracy.