Saint Jerome Reading in an Italian Landscape

Saint Jerome Reading in an Italian Landscape is a contemplative print created by the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, 1606-1669, executed between 1648 and 1658. This definitive example of the artist’s work showcases his unparalleled command of intaglio techniques, combining etching, burin, and drypoint on a sheet of ivory laid paper. The layered techniques allowed 1606-1669 to achieve an extraordinary range of tonal density and textural complexity, rendering the scene with profound atmospheric depth characteristic of the finest printmaking of the Netherlands Golden Age.

The composition centers on Saint Jerome, the scholar and translator of the Latin Vulgate, positioned deep within an imagined yet lush landscape. Although 1606-1669 never journeyed to Italy, the setting evokes the dramatic, craggy terrain often associated with Renaissance depictions of the hermit saint in the wilderness. Jerome is seen intensely focused on his reading, emphasizing his dedication to study and isolation. The subtle but dramatic variations in line work isolate the figure from the highly detailed surrounding environment, creating a powerful sense of quiet contemplation and introspection that was a hallmark of 1606-1669's later style.

As a significant example of religious iconography produced during this period, the work demonstrates the artist's enduring interest in narrative studies. This important print is classified within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The enduring quality and technical complexity of these seventeenth-century prints ensure their continued scholarly importance globally, with many historical examples, like this one, accessible through institutional collections and high-resolution public domain resources.