Saint Jerome in His Study

Saint Jerome in His Study by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1514, stands as a masterpiece of the artist’s graphic production, often grouped with the other two great works of the Meisterstiche (Master Engravings). This precise and complex print exemplifies the zenith of German Renaissance technique. The medium, engraving on a copper plate, allowed Dürer to achieve an astonishing range of texture and shadow through meticulous cross-hatching and fine lines, demonstrating the height of technical control available in prints of the era.

The work portrays Saint Jerome, the scholar and translator of the Vulgate, deep in concentration within his meticulously detailed study interior. Sunlight streams across the wooden ceiling beams, casting dramatic shadows and illuminating the writing desk where the saint is engrossed in his task. This intricate interior emphasizes the life of quiet scholarship. Iconographic elements central to Jerome’s story and theological role are carefully integrated into the composition: the skull rests on the windowsill, symbolizing the contemplation of mortality (memento mori), while the tamed lion, whose paw Jerome famously healed, sleeps peacefully in the foreground alongside a small dog, often symbolizing fidelity.

Dürer’s unparalleled ability to render complex perspective and focused light within this intimate setting solidified the piece’s reputation. Saint Jerome in His Study quickly became a cornerstone of the Northern Renaissance tradition and was distributed across Europe through the sale of high-quality impressions. This impression is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, securing its status as one of the most recognized prints in art history. As a historical work of art, copies are now widely accessible in the public domain.