St. Jerome Reading in an Italian Landscape

"St. Jerome Reading in an Italian Landscape," created by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) between 1648 and 1658, is a significant example of the Dutch master’s late career printmaking. This mature work, classified as a print, utilizes a complex combination of etching, drypoint, and engraving rendered on textured oatmeal paper. It depicts the titular Saint Jerome, the renowned scholar and translator of the Latin Vulgate, deeply immersed in reading. This particular impression represents the rare second state of two and is a foundational piece within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Rembrandt often returned to the subject of Saint Jerome, here placing him in an evocative setting described as an Italian Landscape, although rendered with the dramatic chiaroscuro characteristic of 17th-century Dutch art. The saint is seated near a cluster of ancient buildings, focusing intently on his text. Crucially, the iconic symbol associated with the hermit, the tamed lion, rests quietly nearby, completing the traditional Christian iconography.

The detailed execution showcases Rembrandt’s technical prowess. The use of drypoint, particularly evident in the velvety burr, and careful engraving provides rich tonal depth and sharp contrasts, distinguishing this masterful print from simpler etchings of the period. Dating to the late 1640s or early 1650s, the work demonstrates the artist's advanced handling of light and shadow to emphasize the secluded, meditative life of the scholar. Because of the lasting cultural impact of such prints by the Dutch master, high-resolution reproductions are frequently made available to the public domain through institutional efforts, ensuring wide access to this iconic depiction of spiritual retreat.