The artwork, “St Jerome Reading in the Countryside,” was created by Giovanni Bellini between 1480 and 1485. This religious painting, executed in oil on wood, belongs to the Early Renaissance art movement. The artwork, measuring 47 by 34 centimeters, is currently housed in the National Gallery in London, United Kingdom.
In the artwork, Saint Jerome is depicted as an elderly man with a long white beard, wearing a blue robe. He is seated on rocky terrain, deeply engrossed in reading a sacred text. The scene is set against a serene and picturesque countryside backdrop, featuring rugged rocks, a tranquil river, distant hills, and an approaching city. The sky, dotted with soft, billowing clouds, adds to the overall calmness of the scene. A lion, often associated with Saint Jerome in iconography, is seen calmly resting near him, symbolizing his legend. The meticulous attention to detail and the harmonious composition reflect Bellini’s mastery in capturing both the natural beauty and the contemplative spirituality of the scene.
