Saint Jerome and the Ephemeral Existence
Discover a work depicting Saint Jerome, a Doctor of the Church renowned for his influential 4th-century translation of the Bible into Latin
The penitent Saint Jerome (Second half of the 16th century) by Monogramist APThe Cathedral of Segovia
In the Painting Room under the Cloister of the Segovia Cathedral, you can see the painting "Penitent Saint Jerome." This work is attributed to the anagrammatist Anthonis Palermo.
The author of this panel, painted in Flanders around 1560, brought together in a single symbolic image all the facets of saint Jerome, seeing no anachronism in doing so.
A fly
On the shoulder of this emaciated saint Jerome rests a fly, one of the details that draws attention in this painting. The fly symbolizes sin, which will soon be cast aside.
An open book
The same arm leads us to an open book: the Latin version of the Old Testament. The text is legible and allows us to identify one of the penitential psalms: the one that begins with the plea «Have mercy on me» (Miserere mei, Psalm 51).
A stone
The hermit holds in his right hand the stone with which he has been striking his chest as a symbol of penitence.
A skull
A skull, located in one of the lower corners of the painting, symbolizes the ephemeral nature of existence. This symbol, known as memento mori, represents the nearness of death and the urgency of conversion.
A candle
According to tradition, saint Jerome lived in Bethlehem, where he translated the Bible into Latin, creating the work known as the Vulgate. In this depiction, he is shown inside a grotto in Bethlehem, using the light of a candle to read and write.
An hourglass
The hourglass, like the skull, evokes the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. It signifies that there is always time for reconciliation with God and for turning away from evil.
A crucifix
Finally, the crucifix, in contrast to the ephemeral nature of the symbols described above, stands as the answer for eternal salvation. Through the cross, Christ is presented as the model of life and the reference for the believer.
A lion
At the bottom of the painting, the lion's head evokes the legend of saint Jerome. It is said that the saint tamed and healed a lion that was suffering from a thorn stuck in its paw. Grateful, the animal stayed by his side until the end of his days, becoming his loyal companion.
A red cardinal’s hat
In the upper right of the painting, at the entrance of the grotto, a red cardinal's hat can be seen, denoting his cardinal dignity. In the year 382, he was called to Rome by Pope saint Damasus, who valued his profound knowledge of the Scriptures.
The depiction of saint Jerome in cardinal attire refers to his closeness to the Pope and his importance in the Church, but not to his membership in the College of Cardinals. Saint Jerome chose the life of a hermit, austere and without wealth, reflected in his clothing.
Promueve: Cabildo Catedral de Segovia
Dirección y textos: Adolfo Rubio Pascual-Muerte
Imágenes: Catedral de Segovia
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