St. Jerome in His Study

St. Jerome in His Study by Albrecht Dürer is a remarkable 1514 engraving, considered one of the German Renaissance master's three great Meisterstiche (master engravings). Created during a period of intense artistic and religious change in Germany, this demanding print showcases the meticulous detail and intellectual rigor that defined Dürer’s career. The successful creation of such fine graphic works cemented the artist’s reputation throughout Europe.

The scene places the titular saint not in the wilderness, but comfortably translating scripture within a sunlit, meticulously ordered scholar's cell. Dürer’s command of linear perspective creates a sense of deep, airy space, drawing the viewer’s eye toward Jerome, who is absorbed in his work. The complex cross-hatching required for the engraving medium gives texture to the wooden beams, glass rondels, and animal fur. St. Jerome's traditional symbols, the docile lion and the sleeping dog, rest peacefully in the foreground, contrasting the skull on the window ledge, a quiet reminder of mortality.

This exceptional example of Northern Renaissance graphic art reflects the era's focus on humanistic learning and private devotion. As one of Dürer's most famous prints, the work’s widespread availability today through public domain resources testifies to its enduring status as a fundamental image of scholarly piety. This original impression of the engraving is housed in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.