The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 24, 2024

St. Jerome in Penitence

St. Jerome in Penitence

c. 1497
(German, 1471–1528)
Germany, late 15th Century early 16th Century
engraving
Image: 32 x 22.5 cm (12 5/8 x 8 7/8 in.); Sheet: 32 x 22.5 cm (12 5/8 x 8 7/8 in.)
Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Prasse Collection, fiftieth anniversary gift 1966.175
Catalogue raisonné: Meder 57c
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

According to legend, after he aided a lion by pulling a thorn from its paw, it became Saint Jerome's permanent companion.

Description

This print shows Albrecht Dürer’s interpretation of Saint Jerome in the wilderness. In this image, the saint is a gaunt
penitent who kneels in front of a small crucifix placed on top of a tree stump (a reference to Christ’s cross and the tree of knowledge), while holding a rock in his right hand. Jerome was said to have beat his chest with a rock to alleviate his frequent hallucinations. Dürer included several different plant species, all Northern European in origin, displaying his
dedication to the careful study and depiction of real plants.
  • Love Gardens / Forbidden Fruit. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 2-October 29, 2023).
    Northern Landscape Traditions: 16th and 17th Century Prints and Drawings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 10-December 31, 1989).
    Sacred and Profane in Late Gothic Prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 2-August 2, 1987).
    Leona E. Prasse, Connoisseur and Curator. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (May 28-August 25, 1985).
    Albrecht Dürer - 500th Anniversary. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 19-March 28, 1971).
    The Print Club of Cleveland, 1919 - 1969: Fifty Years in Review. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (January 14-March 31, 1970).
    Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Prasse Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 11-October 21, 1968).
  • {{cite web|title=St. Jerome in Penitence|url=false|author=Albrecht Dürer|year=c. 1497|access-date=24 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1966.175