Saint Jerome Penitent in the Wilderness

Saint Jerome Penitent in the Wilderness by Albrecht Dürer, dated 1496, is a significant early work executed in the demanding medium of engraving, specifically representing the second state of two. This iconic print depicts the revered Church Father, Saint Jerome, in his ascetic role as a penitent hermit. Dürer positions the saint kneeling before a rudimentary cross, deep within a rugged, forbidding wilderness, emphasizing his solitude and spiritual devotion. Jerome is traditionally associated with the lion, an animal he supposedly befriended after removing a thorn from its paw; here, the creature is rendered nearby, resting peacefully alongside the saint's attributes, including the cardinal’s hat cast aside.

The work showcases Dürer’s emerging mastery over the burin, utilizing complex cross-hatching to create deep shadows and fine details, particularly in the texture of the rocky landscape and the figure’s musculature. Created early in his career, this image cemented Dürer’s reputation as the preeminent graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance. The composition reflects the period's strong theological interest in the lives of the desert fathers. As a highly influential graphic work, high-quality impressions of Dürer’s original prints are conserved in major institutions worldwide, including this outstanding example held within the prestigious collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and profound cultural significance, this celebrated artwork is frequently available for study and reproduction through public domain access.