Albrecht Altdorfer
German, c.1480-1538
Saint Jerome in Penitence, in a Cave
INV-7784
Albrecht Altdorfer
German, c.1480-15381500/38
Saint Jerome in Penitence, in a Cave
Albrecht Altdorfer German, c.1480-1538 →wood engravingprint
Date
1500/38
Medium
Wood engraving in black on cream laid paper
Dimensions
Image/block/sheet: 16.8 × 12 cm (6 5/8 × 4 3/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer
Albrecht Altdorfer’s sophisticated handling of woodcutting tools allows this relief image to appear almost three- dimensional. The shadows of the cave around the hermit Saint Jerome open gradually into ever-darker passages and spartan living quarters beyond. The saint, his protective lion companion, and the makeshift altar become the focal points for the light emanating from the entry to the cave on the right. Like Jerome, the viewer is situated in a literally and spiritually dark space within the tomb-like cavern.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Altarpiece with the Beautiful Virgin of Regensburg and Saints Christopher, Mary Magdalen, Florian and Catherine Standing in Niches, with God the Father Above
Albrecht Altdorfer German, c.1480-1538
'The Beautiful Virgin of Regensburg' with the Child on a Throne, Surrounded by Angels with Musical Instruments
Albrecht Altdorfer German, c.1480-1538
Landscape with A Double Spruce
Albrecht Altdorfer German, c.1480-1538
