Marinus van Reymerswale: Saint Jerome (1541)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

A painting by the Dutch artist Marinus van Reymerswale (1490-1546). Saint Jerome of Stridon (A.D. 347-420) is a very important Christian saint. He was a theologian, priest, historian and an extensive writer. His best known work is his translation of the Bible into Latin (known as the Vulgate). Jerome is usually shown in art as a cardinal (although this position didn't exist in his time) praying in the desert but this piece shows the saint in a study. A crucifix is standing on the left, together with a candle, several books and an open Bible with a miniature of the Last Judgement. The saint is point to a human skull on the table. The entire piece serves as a Memento Mori ("remember (that) you will die" - a reminder for people of the vanity of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits. Painting from 1541.