Saint Jerome in His Study Durer Engravings (1471-1528)

Description of Albrecht Dürer’s painting St. Jerome in his cell

Albrecht Dürer was a great German Renaissance painter. The focus in which the painter worked was filled with expressiveness and a desire for realism. The artist’s moments included a collection of "three workshop engravings" on a religious theme. One of these was the painting "Saint Jerome", which was created in 1514. It depicts St. Hieronymus, who translated the Bible into Latin. Dürer was so close to the subject that he decided to depict Father Jerome in his cell, the whole process of his work.

The spacious and deep cell serves as a good setting for St. Jerome’s work. The table with objects is carefully depicted, with only the essentials on it: an inkwell, a stand for the book and a crucifix. The aura of St. Jerome illuminates as if a higher power were present in the painting. Characteristic of the revival for a masterpiece. And Dürer shows the holy father as a scholar, not as a monk.

The painting includes Jerome’s companion, the lion, who is his most faithful friend. The lion, true to form, lies near the table and does not interfere with St. Jerome’s work. Many little things can be seen in the artistic canvas. The meticulous elaboration of all the subtleties is amazing. The dog near the lion is peacefully dozing. The hourglass on the table is a reminder of the time, without disturbing the tranquility in the cell. The painting seemed to have everything you need for scientific work - as if the painter had depicted a private office.

The painting achieved considerable success in the circles of many collectors. Fans of expressionism tried to get hold of one of these works and spent a lot of money. The artist wrote his masterpieces according to the rules of the era, not excluding the truth of life. The work "St. Jerome in the Cell" attracts breadth and simplicity of thought. This was the goal Albrecht Dürer wanted to achieve when he created his masterpiece.