Saint Jerome c. 1583 - 1585

Curator: This is Annibale Carracci’s "Saint Jerome," a small etching measuring about 10 by 9 centimeters, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought is how intimate this feels, the detailed lines creating a world both studious and slightly melancholic. Curator: Absolutely. Carracci here taps into the scholarly persona carefully cultivated around Saint Jerome, particularly his role in translating the Bible. Notice the books surrounding him. Editor: And the crucifix just over his shoulder. The symbols of faith and learning are powerfully juxtaposed, really emphasizing his life's dedication. Even his spectacles have symbolic weight. Curator: Indeed. The etching medium itself is significant; its accessibility allowed for wider dissemination of religious and intellectual ideals. Editor: It’s a potent reminder of how images shape our understanding of historical figures and their cultural impact. Curator: A fascinating intersection of personal devotion and public image, then. Editor: Agreed, and Carracci captures that perfectly.