The Vision of Saint Jerome

c. 1660

Giovanni Battista Langetti

(Italian, 1635–1676)

Culture

Italy, 17th century

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

Framed: 238 x 187 x 13 cm (93 11/16 x 73 5/8 x 5 1/8 in.); Unframed: 200.2 x 149.2 cm (78 13/16 x 58 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Delia E. Holden and L. E. Holden Funds 1951.334

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Location

217 Italian Baroque

Description

Jerome (c. AD 347–420) studied Greek and Latin literature in Rome, but eventually pursued theology, perceiving his conduct as corrupt and sinful. Around AD 374, Jerome had a vision of the Last Judgment in which an angel called him to task for his transgressions. Jerome then withdrew from society, learned Hebrew, and studied the Gospels, which led to his influential translations of the Bible. Langetti here follows a convention by depicting Jerome's vision after he retreated from the world. Working in the northern Italian port of Genoa, Langetti absorbed Caravaggio's impact, seen in the composition's naturalistic bodies and dramatic light.