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Leyden, Lucas van. (1494–1533) St Jerome in his Study, 1521
Leyden, Lucas van. (1494–1533) St Jerome in his Study, 1521
Leyden, Lucas van. (1494–1533). St Jerome in his Study, 1521.

Engraving on paper depicting Jerome behind his desk hugging a book to his chest with his left arm and pointing to a skull before him with his right hand; behind him to the right his lion licks his toes. H 10.5 x W 14.7 cm. With light staining to upper edge and lower right, otherwise in very good condition, with J.H.H. collection stamp verso, J. H. Halbertsma (1789–1869), Mennonite minister and lexicographer and print collector. Lugt 1473. First state. A rare engraving. We have traced only two examples having appeared at auction in 30 years (Christie's, 1996; Tajan, 2000). 


"The story of St. Jerome and the lion was well known and often illustrated, but Lucas's work differs in many respects from the standard prototypes. The lion licking Jerome's feet is unprecedented. The setting is not the traditional scholar's chamber; it has the grandiose appearance of a Renaissance structure rather than a medieval master's study. The saint is not seated at a writing desk but behind what appears to be an architectural element. Only the book, paper and inkpot acknowledge his status as a scholar. Finally, although representations of St. Jerome pointing to a skull were common at the time in a bust-length, portraitlike format, the monumental, full-length figure was new.  Lucas focused a slightly unorthodox scholar-in-his-study composition with a totally innovative meditative composition. " (The Prints of Lucas Van Leyden & His Contemporaries, ed. Ellen S. Jacobowitz et al, National Gallery of Art, 1983, p. 208). 

Leyden, Lucas van. (1494–1533) St Jerome in his Study, 1521

Schubertiade Music and Arts
SKU: 23228
$2,500.00
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Leyden, Lucas van. (1494–1533). St Jerome in his Study, 1521.

Engraving on paper depicting Jerome behind his desk hugging a book to his chest with his left arm and pointing to a skull before him with his right hand; behind him to the right his lion licks his toes. H 10.5 x W 14.7 cm. With light staining to upper edge and lower right, otherwise in very good condition, with J.H.H. collection stamp verso, J. H. Halbertsma (1789–1869), Mennonite minister and lexicographer and print collector. Lugt 1473. First state. A rare engraving. We have traced only two examples having appeared at auction in 30 years (Christie's, 1996; Tajan, 2000). 


"The story of St. Jerome and the lion was well known and often illustrated, but Lucas's work differs in many respects from the standard prototypes. The lion licking Jerome's feet is unprecedented. The setting is not the traditional scholar's chamber; it has the grandiose appearance of a Renaissance structure rather than a medieval master's study. The saint is not seated at a writing desk but behind what appears to be an architectural element. Only the book, paper and inkpot acknowledge his status as a scholar. Finally, although representations of St. Jerome pointing to a skull were common at the time in a bust-length, portraitlike format, the monumental, full-length figure was new.  Lucas focused a slightly unorthodox scholar-in-his-study composition with a totally innovative meditative composition. " (The Prints of Lucas Van Leyden & His Contemporaries, ed. Ellen S. Jacobowitz et al, National Gallery of Art, 1983, p. 208). 

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