“St. Jerome in Meditation,” by Giorgio Vasari, is a religious painting that forms part of the Mannerism movement, also known as Late Renaissance. In the artwork, St. Jerome, an eminent Christian scholar and translator of the Bible, is depicted deep in contemplation within a rugged natural setting. His gaze is fixed solemnly upon a small wooden crucifix, emphasizing his devout piety. The surroundings include a skull, symbolizing mortality, and a book, representing his scholarly pursuits. The somber scene is contrasted by a lion, a reference to the legend of St. Jerome taming a lion, resting at his feet. The overall composition is rich in symbolic elements, meticulously rendered to convey a profound spiritual introspection.
