Saint Jerome in the desert – Musée des Beaux-Arts – Caen
The work, which dates back to 1498/1502, shows Saint Jerome penitent in the desert: he is in fact kneeling at the feet of the crucifix, while meditating on the sufferings of Christ; in his right hand he holds a stone, with which he beats his chest, left uncovered by the robe, as a sign of repentance.
His iconographic attributes are behind him: the lion is on the left, while the red cardinal’s hat gently hangs from the branch of a slender tree.
The scene is pervaded by a calm and composed atmosphere, the gestures of Saint Jerome are sober, and the appearance of his face is characterized by the typical sweetnessof Perugino’s characters. The hilly landscape is free from harshness, showing only the fronds of some trees and a lake that can be seen in the background: everything contributes to the creation of a balanced and soothing setting, representative of the art of Perugino.
The work, already part of the Collection of Francis I in 1783, is currently preserved at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Caen.
