Death of Saint Jerome - Bernardino Passeri

A late sixteenth-century depiction of the death of Saint Jerome, featuring the saint attended by angels in a cavernous setting.

This composition depicts the final moments of Saint Jerome, a subject frequently explored in late sixteenth-century Italian art. Bernardino Passeri, an artist active in Rome during the Counter-Reformation, employs the stylistic conventions of the period to convey the spiritual transition of the saint. Jerome is shown in a semi-reclining posture, supported by celestial figures who attend to his passing. The presence of the lion, his traditional attribute, provides a grounding element within the rocky, cavernous setting.

The work exhibits the elongated proportions and dramatic lighting characteristic of Mannerist painting. Passeri balances the physical frailty of the aged saint with the fluid, graceful movements of the angels. A skull, placed near the saint's hand, serves as a memento mori, a common motif in religious iconography of the era. The inclusion of the crucifix and the cardinal's hat on the ground further identifies the figure as Saint Jerome, referencing his scholarly life and his role as a translator of the Vulgate Bible.

Passeri's approach to the scene is structured and deliberate. The figures are arranged to draw the eye toward the central narrative of the saint's departure. The contrast between the dark, shadowed recesses of the cave and the illuminated forms of the figures creates a sense of depth and focus. This print captures the tonal range of the original painting, allowing for a clear appreciation of the artist's handling of form and shadow. It is a representative example of the religious art produced in Rome during the late Renaissance, reflecting the period's focus on devotional subjects and the emotional engagement of the viewer.