The theme of St Jerome in Penitence is often found in paintings of the end of the sixteenth and early seventeenth century, the translator of the Bible often shown as an old, emaciated man, half-dressed in a red garment falling in sophisticated drapery, in a penitent attitude, or receiving a vision. For example the Greco at the National Gallery or Jusepe de Ribera, in Capodimonte, particularly in the very baroque scene of the appearance of the angel of the Last Judgment.
In the field of sculpture, we can mention the superb Penitent Saint Jerome by Pietro Torrigiano in Seville.
St. Jerome is often carrying a crucifix he contemplates. It is likely that this was the case for our statuette, whose left hand seems intentend to hold a small crucifix in wood or metal.
In the somewhat excessive swaying, the very expressive attitude of his emaciated arms and legs as well as the very fine clothing with savant drapery, our statuette belongs to the Mannerist current, during his last fires at the turn of the XVI th and XVII th centuries. The favor of the motive in Southern Europe, and the realistic character of our sculpture allows us to assign it to an artist working in Spain, maybe of Italian origin.
Beautiful condition, ancient restored break in the middle.
Composition: painted alabaster
Origin: Spain or Italy
Provenance: France - Art Market
Period: circa 1600
Dimensions: H. : 43 cm - l. : 22 cm
