About this work
In this engraving, Jan Lievens depicts St Jerome seated within a cave. Behind him, a cardinal’s galero hangs from the rockface. According to the Golden Legend – a compendium of saints’ lives that was highly influential during the late Middle Ages – St Jerome is falsely said to have been ordained a cardinal priest in Rome. In reality, the title of cardinal did not exist during the saint’s lifetime. As a result of this text, St Jerome is often portrayed in cardinal’s robes or, as seen here, with a cast-aside cardinal’s hat. The latter trope symbolises the saint’s humility, having abandoned Rome for a life of penance in the desert.