St. Jerome Reading

St. Jerome Reading is an etching created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1634. This fine example of 17th-century Dutch printmaking depicts the early Church Father, Saint Jerome, deep in scholarly Reading. The work is currently housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Rembrandt uses the precise technique of etching to define the shadowy interior where the Saint sits. The composition emphasizes the scholar's concentration, dramatically highlighting his face and the book against the surrounding darkness. The careful use of line work establishes rich texture and contrast, a hallmark of the artist’s mature period in prints. To the right, the traditional attribute of Saint Jerome, the tame Lion, rests subtly obscured by shadow, a necessary counterpoint to the Saint’s intellectual labor. Outside, through an arched opening, a glimpse of light reveals natural elements, including sparse Trees, grounding the scene in a sense of quiet monastic isolation.

This subject was highly popular in the 17th century, appealing to patrons who valued intellectual pursuits and piety. Throughout his career, Rembrandt returned frequently to religious and biblical subjects, utilizing the medium of etching to disseminate his expressive narratives widely. As the artist executed this piece early in his mastery of the medium, it demonstrates the depth and complexity he could achieve through line work alone. Today, high-quality images and prints of this work are often available through the Metropolitan Museum's public domain initiatives, ensuring the accessibility of this powerful early Baroque image.