St. Jerome in his Study 1480

Domenico Ghirlandaio painted Saint Jerome in His Study as a fresco, we think, sometime in the 1480s in Florence. It captures the saint, celebrated for his translation of the Bible into Latin, absorbed in his scholarly work. The image offers a window into the intellectual life of Renaissance Italy. We see Jerome surrounded by books and scholarly tools; these are visual cues to his dedication to learning and scripture. In Florence, during this period, there was a renewed interest in classical texts, influencing art, literature, and philosophy. The Medici family, as patrons of the arts and learning, fostered an environment where humanist scholars and artists thrived, shaping a cultural shift. The presence of Latin texts emphasizes the period's focus on classical knowledge, reflecting humanist ideals. Understanding this work involves delving into Florence's complex cultural and institutional history through archival research. Art history thrives on uncovering and interpreting the layers of meaning embedded in artworks.