The Penitence of St. Jerome
Original title: The Penitence of St. Jerome
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder depicts Saint Jerome at prayer in a woodcut from 1509, set within a forest landscape. The sheet was hand-colored with watercolors and measures 33.3 × 23.5 cm.
Description
Jerome sits on the ground, holding a book, his gaze thoughtful or prayerful. A calm lion lies beside him. A small house with a roof and door, along with two coats of arms hanging from a tree, can be seen in the background. Trees and shrubs structure the landscape in rich detail. Warm browns and golds dominate the color palette, giving the scene a peaceful mood.
Context
As court painter to the Saxon electors in Wittenberg, Cranach created this woodcut in 1509. The theme of Saint Jerome's penance was widespread in the Renaissance, linking eremitic life with depictions of nature. Single-leaf prints and book illustrations were often produced as woodcuts with subsequent hand-coloring at that time.
Impact
The calm arrangement and muted colors make the image appear contemplative. The viewer is drawn into the quiet forest landscape, which emphasizes both the saint's solitude and his harmony with creation.
Technique
After printing, this woodcut was hand-colored with watercolors. Precise lines and shading, typical of Renaissance printmaking, demonstrate Cranach's confident handling of the medium.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)