Saint Jerome in the Desert
c. 1553
Medium
Etching and engraving on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
31.1 × 42.6 cm (12 1/4 × 16 13/16 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
62181
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Hieronymus Cock’s print of Saint Jerome depicts the saint during the five years that he spent in the desert, outside of civilization. Jerome valued austerity and was inspired by the ascetic monks he met during his travels. While living in the desert, he was tormented by visions of temptations produced by the devil, including phantoms of beautiful women, terrifying beasts, and piles of silver and gold.
About the Artist
Hieronymus Cock · 1510–1570
Hieronymus Cock, born Hieronymus Wellens de Cock in Antwerp in 1518, emerged from a distinguished artistic lineage; his father, Jan Wellens de Cock, and brother, Matthys Cock, were both accomplished painters and draftsmen. Admitted as a master painter to Antwerp's Guild of Saint Luke in 1545, he honed his skills in the vibrant Netherlandish tradition before traveling to Rome from 1546 to 1547, whe...