St. Jerome Reading in an Italian Landscape

St. Jerome Reading in an Italian Landscape by Rembrandt van Rijn is a masterful print executed between 1648 and 1658, late in the artist’s career. This piece exemplifies Rijn’s groundbreaking approach to printmaking, combining etching, engraving, and drypoint techniques. The skillful use of drypoint, in particular, creates the rich, velvety blacks and substantial burr that define the intense atmosphere of the scene, while etching provides the foundational detail. Rijn utilized these varied methods to achieve profound contrasts in light and shadow, characteristic of the High Dutch Baroque.

The subject, St. Jerome, is traditionally shown as the Christian scholar who translated the Bible into Latin. Here, the saint is depicted engrossed in his studies within a dramatic, idealized setting. Although created by the foremost artist of the Netherlands, the choice of an "Italian landscape" connects the scene to classical traditions, elevating the subject’s contemplative solitude and isolating him amidst the rugged natural elements. This work belongs to a significant body of prints produced by Rijn, showcasing his deep commitment to the medium as an expressive form distinct from painting.

As an original print, the complexity of its execution confirms its status as a highly sought-after graphic work. Examples of this fine impression are held in major international collections, including this one housed by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Due to the age and historical significance of the piece, high-quality images and prints of this Rijn masterwork are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader study of the Golden Age of Dutch art.