Saint Jerome n.d.

This drawing, “Saint Jerome,” created by Domenico Piola, depicts the patron saint of scholars and translators. Saint Jerome is shown kneeling in a natural setting, surrounded by a tree and foliage. In his hand he holds a staff and he is looking intently at a crucifix. An open book and an hourglass are also featured in the scene, highlighting Jerome’s devotion to study and the passage of time. Piola, an Italian artist of the Baroque period, was known for his expressive use of line and his detailed depictions of religious subjects. The drawing is a study for a larger painting, likely commissioned by a private patron.