VENITIAN ECOLE, early 17th century, after Jacopo NEGRETI, known as Palma the Younger (Venice 1544-1628) Saint Jerome in the desert Oil on panel 34 x 26 cm Based on the composition probably produced for the Confraternity of the Companions of Justice in Venice (Confratelli della Compagnia della Giustizia), now considered lost, but which we can guess was a great success by virtue of the existence of numerous workshop copies. Its translation into engraving, first in the opposite direction by Goltzius (a copy in Bergamo, Academia Carrara, inv. 1958.00069), then, in the right direction, by Raffaello Guidi (a copy in London, The British Museum, inv. 1871,0429.456) is a further indication of the popularity of its iconographic model.

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