Saint Jerome

Art Historical Context

This drawing of Saint Jerome by Paolo de Matteis captures the revered scholar and translator of the Bible in a moment of contemplation. Rendered in pen and brown with brush and brown wash over black chalk on laid paper, the work highlights the saint’s traditional attributes through fluid, expressive lines. The medium allows for both precise detail and rich tonal shading, giving the figure a sense of volume and emotional depth within a compact format measuring just 24.2 by 37.1 centimeters. Such preparatory drawings were essential tools for Baroque artists like de Matteis, who used them to explore composition and light before executing larger paintings. The warm brown palette and layered washes create a luminous, almost sculptural quality, demonstrating the artist’s command of draftsmanship. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings department, this piece offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the creative process behind religious imagery of the period. As a study rather than a finished painting, the work underscores the importance of drawing as an independent art form, valued for its spontaneity and insight into an artist’s hand.