St. Jerome in His Study

St. Jerome In His Study was painted in 16th century by Van Cleve, this painting is one of the medieval and Renaissance studies. Van Cleve’s Jerome is seated in his study, surrounded by items that symbolize his important position in the Catholic Church. Jerome was admired for his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, and was an active participant in the politics of the Church during his lifetime. In Jacobe painting we can see lots of detail and material for common symbols, each with recognizable significance. For example the skull represents the seat of thought, and also symbolized spiritual perfection. The spectacles, designed to refine and sharpen the power of the eyes, signified the role Jerome played for the Church, the light from the candle alludes to the light of God. It actually shows us painters and paintings are affected by their time period, life style and level of education. 

Beyond the realism according to Alberti’s point of view this work of art is perfect example for perspective in painting. In his instructional painting book, On Painting, Leon Battista Alberti approaches perspective in a representational light, writing, “As painting aims to represent things seen, let us note how in fact things are seen" (64). He discusses how to create an accurate world on a canvas, using measurement, comparison of figures’ size, and strict observation of nature to most accurately render it. Mathematically sound perspective, however, was only part of the equation. He concurrently valued (and unabashedly expressed the importance of) a pleasing conveyance of a Historia in his text. Not only should the figures make sense proportionally in the space, but they must make sense in human interaction with one another, be able to feasibly exist in the given context. Such harmony, Alberti finds, is essential in achieving a successful image. He came from the Renaissance Humanist tradition, and valued realism above all else in his work. To Alberti, beauty in art came through well-conveyed reality.

I especially choose this work of art; In His Study is proper example for the Alberti’s historia technique. For example, the illuminated parts of a face are being gradually and harmoniously graded in order to blend into the shadows. St Jerome’s face is also being positioned harmoniously and it harmonises in size, dimensions, function, type and colour. Once again the painter is taking great care to include different character types, movements, clothing and gestures. We can see the bird and its movement and also the view from the window is clear enough and this kind of different movements or dimension create a different aspect. In Cleve’s work of art the most important things are detailed both the objects and the architect of the painting represents the Renaissance time period.