St. Jerome Lucas Van Leyden (1494-1533)

The drawing presents a solitary figure seated within a rocky enclosure. He is depicted as an elderly man with a long, flowing beard and hair, indicative of age and perhaps asceticism. The artist has rendered him in profile, his gaze directed downwards towards an open book resting on what appears to be a cushion or low stool. His posture suggests deep concentration; the hand holding the book is carefully positioned, emphasizing the act of reading or study.
The setting is defined by substantial rock formations that frame the figure and create a sense of enclosure and isolation. The meticulous rendering of these rocks demonstrates an attention to detail characteristic of Northern Renaissance draughtsmanship. A landscape stretches out beyond the immediate rocky environment, though it remains somewhat indistinct due to the distance and the drawings focus on the foreground.
A large lion rests peacefully at the man’s feet. Its posture is relaxed, its head resting comfortably near the seated figure. The presence of this animal introduces a layer of symbolic complexity. Lions were often associated with Christ or Saint Jerome in religious iconography, representing tamed ferocity and spiritual protection. Here, it suggests a harmony between the intellectual pursuit represented by the book and the natural world, possibly symbolizing the power of faith to subdue primal instincts.
The artist’s use of hatching and cross-hatching creates tonal variation and defines form with considerable precision. The lines are dense in areas of shadow, contributing to a sense of depth and volume. A numeral – 1413 – is inscribed near the upper right corner, likely indicating the year of creation or perhaps serving as a mark of ownership.
The overall impression conveyed by this drawing is one of contemplative solitude and spiritual devotion. The figure’s isolation within the rocky landscape, coupled with the presence of the lion, suggests themes of renunciation, intellectual inquiry, and divine grace.