Saint Jerome in the Desert
c. 1553
Hieronymus Cock (Flemish, c. 1510-1570) after Pieter Bruegel the elder (Flemish, 1525/30-1569)
Flanders
Hieronymus Cock’s print of Saint Jerome depicts the saint during the five years that he spent in the desert, outside of civilization. Jerome valued austerity and was inspired by the ascetic monks he met during his travels. While living in the desert, he was tormented by visions of temptations produced by the devil, including phantoms of beautiful women, terrifying beasts, and piles of silver and gold.
Etching and engraving on ivory laid paper