Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow

Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow by Albrecht Dürer, dated 1512, is a significant example of the German Renaissance master’s exploration of the demanding drypoint technique. Classified as a print, this piece utilizes the method where the artist scratches the image directly onto a copper plate. This action raises a delicate burr on the metal, which holds the ink and produces rich, velvety lines, characteristic of drypoint impressions. Because the burr wears away quickly under pressure, early prints of this subject are particularly valued for their clarity and tonal depth.

The work departs from Dürer’s more common depictions of the saint seated indoors in his study, instead placing the figure in a detailed, naturalistic setting. Saint Jerome, one of the four Latin Doctors of the Church, is shown kneeling contemplatively before a crucifix attached to a highly distinctive tree—a gnarled and heavily pruned pollard willow, which gives the artwork its title.

The detailed inclusion of the surrounding environment, including the trees and distant hills, underscores Dürer’s mastery of landscape elements. Furthermore, the scene adheres to traditional iconography by featuring the saint’s loyal companion, the lion, resting peacefully nearby, referencing the popular legend of Jerome removing a thorn from the beast's paw. This piece highlights the meticulous precision Dürer brought to his graphic work. This celebrated impression of Saint Jerome by the Pollard Willow is housed in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a crucial moment in the development of Northern Renaissance prints.