The artwork titled “Saint Jerome Reading,” created by Giovanni Bellini, dates from 1480 to 1490. This piece, rendered in oil on canvas, belongs to the Early Renaissance art movement. Measuring 39 x 49 cm, it falls within the genre of religious painting.
In the artwork, Saint Jerome is depicted seated within a rocky landscape, deeply engrossed in reading a large, open book that he holds on his lap. His figure, clad in a minimalistic drapery that accentuates his venerable form, occupies the right side of the canvas. The rocky terrain around him provides a sense of seclusion, emphasizing his hermitic lifestyle. Above, the sky transitions from a daylight blue to a warmer hue, illuminating distant ruins that add a backdrop of historical and architectural layers to the scene. The presence of a white rabbit in the middle ground adds a serene touch of life to the otherwise austere and contemplative setting. The detailed rendering of both the natural elements and the human figure reflects Bellini’s mastery of the early Renaissance techniques, portraying a sense of calm introspection and devotion.
