Saint Jerome

Italian 16th Century

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a small, intricately carved medallion featuring a relief of a bearded man with long hair draped in cloth, seated or kneeling beside a lion. The man's posture suggests he is in a contemplative position, gazing thoughtfully forward. The landscape includes detailed trees and distant buildings, suggesting a pastoral or wilderness setting. On the left side, a cross stands alone among some plants. The sculpture is made from a dark metal, likely bronze or a bronze-like material, giving it a rich, brown appearance with highlights and shadows that accentuate the carved details. The medallion is shaped somewhat like a shield, with a small hole at the top, possibly for hanging or attachment, and it exhibits a richly textured surface that enhances the depth of the relief.