[MR] Wikipedia: St. Jerome in His Study

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

"Today's Featured Picture" on Wikipedia's home page is "St. Jerome in His
Study". This painting was limed by Antonello da Messina at some time
between 1460-1475:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Jerome_in_His_Study_(Antonello_da_Messina)
.

If you click on the sample image at the upper right corner of the Wikipedia
page at the above address, you wii open a larger version of the painting
(then click on the magnifier symbol to get a version that will fill your
screen). The detail is incredible, and allows us to examine a number of
objects that might have typically found in an Italian Renaissance villa
office or study. There are books of various types, of course, many with
bookmarks -- Jerome was the translator of the bible into Latin, later known
as the Vulgate Bible, as well as the writer of commentaries. Thereis an
inkwell and quill. Note that most of the feather barbs have been removed
for comfort while in the hand, a detail often overlooked today. This is
also a pet cat, a couple of potted plants -- one a miniature topiary, jars
and bowls, a chest and an uncomfortable-looking chair. All these details
are worth note for Scadians.

The lion on the right in the shadows is not typical of an Italian villa,
but is a symbol associated with Jerome. The low-crowned cardinal's hat on
the chest is another symbol typical of Jerome, though the office of
cardinal did not exist in his time.

More about St. Jerome can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome
. On this page are several other depictions of the saint in his study which
invite comparison of the details.

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆