Offered by Galerie Meier
Oil on canvas Dimensions: 74 x 58 cm Possible monogram lower left A.
This painting depicts Saint Jerome in prayer, kneeling before a crucifix and an open book, accompanied by a skull symbolizing meditation on death and the vanity of earthly life. On the left, a lion on a hill evokes the legend where the saint heals a wounded lion. The scene takes place in a rocky and meditative landscape, under a cloudy sky, where the contrasts of light and shadow accentuate the spiritual and introspective atmosphere. The wild landscape, marked by imposing rock formations, reflects the late Baroque aesthetic, where nature amplifies the divine character of the sacred figures. The artist's free touch is particularly expressive in the textures of the rocks and clouds, giving dynamism and depth to the composition.
An old label on the back mentions "painted by Rembrandt (Original) in 1669", with indications such as "Duc d'Aumale" and the number 112, suggesting a prestigious provenance, possibly linked to the collection of the Duc d'Aumale, now partly preserved at the Musée Condé in Chantilly.