Who was St. Jerome?
Eusebius Hieronymous Sophronius, also known as St. Jerome was born at Stridonius about the year 342. His native tongue is Illyrian but he learned Latin and Greek in Rome. St. Jerome’s father, a Christian made sure that he was instructed accordingly at home. He was sent to Rome to study where Donatus (a famous pagan grammarian) and Victorinus (a Christian rhetorician) became his teachers (St. Jerome Doctor of the Church). Grammarians, rhetoricians and philosophers were his companions in his youth (St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church of Chicago, 2001).
St. Jerome has several literary works. This includes his works on the Bible, theological controversies, historical works, various letters, and translations (Saltet, 1910).
St. Jerome’s interest in studying the book of God started because of a dream. He had once a nightmare seeing himself before God. In that dream God asked Jerome, "Who are you?" Jerome replied, "A Christian," but God corrected him: "You are a liar. You are not a Christian but a Ciceronian." Because of this, St. Jerome began to appreciate the Bible. He started producing revisions of the Gospel. He also produced a Latin translation of the Psalms and some Old Testament books (St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church of Chicago, 2001).
St Jerome died on September 30, 420 in Bethlehem at the age of 80 (St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church of Chicago, 2001).
Saint Jerome in His Study, Jan van Eyck
In the painting, St. Jerome is reading a book which shows his passion in literary works. His great teachers had taught him Latin and Greek which made him appreciate literature even more. St. Jerome also has formal theological studies. He is wearing a cardinal’s dress and hat in a small study area. Below him is a lion which recalls the saint’s legend in which he had extracted a thorn from the animal’s paw which later became loyal to him. Other objects in the painting include an hourglass, a telescope, a ruler, anastrolabe, numerous books (for learning and theological insights) and writing instruments.
The artwork is a typical Northern Renaissance painting. It is highly realistic which means that there are no distortions or abstractions in the objects of the painting. Also the painting is very detailed (another characteristic of Northern Renaissance painting) that even the folds in the skin (neck and face) and clothes of St. Jerome were shown. The table as well as the chair was painted intricately showing all its detail even the minor one like its design (the carvings in the wood). The lion’s features were also very well defined. The use of symbolism is also very evident in the painting (Benedict, 1999). The jar which has a label “tyriaca” was an antidote for snake bite. On top of the jar is an apple which is Eve’s. The paper covered glass jar behind the astrolabe has written inscriptions which say “A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed”(Song of Solomon, 4:12). This verse applies to the Virgin Mary. The clear glass stopped with paper next to the jar of tyriaca depicts the virgin birth of Mary. The beads symbolize devotion to Mary. This is likened to a rosary where the beads are used to count decades. (Geronimo).
Significant Objects in the Painting
It can be clearly seen that there a lot of books are stacked in the painting (beside St. Jerome). This only shows the passion of St. Jerome in literature. Also, the saint is known to be the “Patron Saint of Translators” which means that he is always with books, reading and understanding the things he is translating like the Bible. Also included were some writing materials like the ruler, pen and ink.
The lion is also a significant object in the painting. Different paintings of St. Jerome by other artists always include the animal. The lion was like a lay brother in the monastery of St. Jerome, doing the chores and guarding the monastic donkey (Saint Jerome, Doctor of the Church). It became the icon of St. Jerome.
References:
Benedict, M. (1999). Retrieved October 17, 2012, from Northern Renaissance: http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Arts/painting/renaiss-paint/north-renaiss/northrenaiss/northrenaiss.htm
Geronimo.(n.d)Retrieved October 17, 2012, from http://www.ordvaxling.se/Jerome.pdf
Saint Jerome, Doctor of the Church. Retrieved 17 2012, 2012, from http://www.aug.edu/augusta/iconography/jerome.html
Saltet, L. (1910). The Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 16, 2012, from St. Jerome: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08341a.htm
St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church of Chicago. (2001). Retrieved October 16, 2012, from Who is St. Jerome?: http://www.stjeromecroatian.org/eng/whois.html
St. Jerome Doctor of the Church. Retrieved October 16, 2012, from Catholic Online: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=10
