The artwork “Saint Jerome, After Raphael” is a portrait by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, created in the stylistic period of Neoclassicism. This genre of the artwork is well-known for its clarity, order, and balance, reflecting the classical virtues espoused during its time.
The portrait depicts Saint Jerome, an esteemed Christian scholar, famously known for translating the Bible into Latin. The portrait reflects Jerome’s introspective nature, a common thematic element of portrayals of the saint. Ingres’ drawing captures the saint in a profile view, with his features meticulously detailed to convey a sense of individual character and emotion.
The saint’s solemn gaze is directed downward, suggesting a moment of deep contemplation or perhaps scholarly focus. The hat, prominently featured and occupying a considerable portion of the composition, adds depth to the artwork and emphasizes Jerome’s status, possibly reflecting the ecclesiastical or academic attire of his era. The drawing is rendered predominantly in a single color, with delicate shading used to create volume and texture, particularly within Jerome’s facial features and clothing.
Ingres’ work is in line with Neoclassical ideals, revering the formality and grandeur of the classical art canon. By choosing to reference Raphael, a paragon of High Renaissance art, Ingres pays homage to this earlier master while showcasing his own skillful execution and adherence to the disciplined Neoclassical aesthetic.