Skip to Content
Today Open today 11–5

  • Mon 11–5
  • Tue–Wed Closed
  • Thu 11–8
  • Fri–Sun 11–5
  • The first hour of every day, 10–11 a.m., is reserved for member-only viewing.

Saint Jerome in the Desert

A work made of engraving on ivory laid paper.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

Image actions

  • A work made of engraving on ivory laid paper.

Date:

c. 1575

Artist:

Cherubino Alberti (Italian, 1553-1615)
after Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475-1564)

About this artwork

Cherubino Alberti’s mastery of illusionistic foreshortening effects is particularly evident in Saint Jerome’s cross, and the hand holding it is reminiscent of Michelangelo’s renowned Creation of Adam fresco. Indeed, in light of his artistic accomplishments, Pope Clement VIII pardoned Alberti of a conviction for murder. The books at Jerome’s feet allude to his translation of the Bible into Latin, which earned Jerome the title of the patron saint of libraries. Jerome was also known for a having a bad temper, and he often used his pen to target those he saw as enemies of the truth.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Cherubino Alberti

Title

Saint Jerome in the Desert

Place

Italy (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1570–1580

Medium

Engraving on ivory laid paper

Dimensions

47.9 × 34.7 cm (18 7/8 × 13 11/16 in.)

Credit Line

Charles Greene Fund

Reference Number

1959.216

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/10173/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.
Learn more

Image actions

Share

Suggested Terms