301 - Albrecht Dürer (1471 – Nuremberg – 1528), Saint Jerome Penitent in the Wilderness.

Albrecht Dürer (1471 – Nuremberg – 1528), Saint Jerome Penitent in the Wilderness. Engraving on laid paper, Bishop’s Crest watermark (Meder 39). (c. 1496). 32 x 22.4 cm (sheet). Bartsch 61; Meder 57 f (of g); Schoch/Mende/Scherbaum 6 f (of g). A fine, strong, and deep black Meder f impression, with the shadows in the rocks between the two areas of light printing showing strong contrasts. In places, it has a fine narrow margin around the platemark; otherwise, it is trimmed to the platemark. The faint wiping scratch across the saint’s chest—characteristic of Meder b impressions—is still visible. Saint Jerome was an important subject for Dürer, who depicted him in six prints. Dating from circa 1496, the present work is the first of his truly large engravings and is closely related to his painting of the same subject in the National Gallery, London. While the painting uses color to evoke a lush mountain landscape, the engraving exploits stark contrasts of black and white to convey the austerity of the saint’s rocky wilderness. The rugged cliffs may also carry a symbolic meaning: hostile and forbidding, they nevertheless support the small chapel in the background, perhaps alluding to the strength and permanence of the Church. – The reverse side has a few pale brown spots. It has flattened horizontal and vertical creases and a slight handling crease in the lower right margin. The corner tips have been skillfully repaired. Otherwise in good condition. Taxation: subject to regular taxation (VAT: Regular Taxation).