The Temptation of St. Jerome

Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574) was one of the key figures in the Italian Renaissance period. Although he was a painter and architect, he is especially known for his work ‘Lives of the Most Excellent Painter, Sculptors and Architectects. He gained the title of “the father of history” as this book was the first major collection of artists' biographies. Along with his contributions in the art history world through his writings, he also contributed significantly through his artworks which included paintings based on religious themes with symbolic details and rich storytelling. The Temptation of St. Jerome is about the saint’s life during his years of solitude in the desert. The saint devoted his time to prayer, study and repentance. Instead of presenting Saint Jerome in his quiet solicitude, the artist shifted the narrative into a powerful dramatic scene. Through this, he emphasied on the inner turmoil and struggle of the saint from the outer world and its desires. The saint is in a blue tunic and red cloak. the saint is shown kneeling on the foreground while holding a crucifix in one hand and striking his chest with stone as an act of penance. Many objects are placed by the artist that explains Saint Jerome’s life and his beliefs. A skull is placed before him that shows that earthly life is temporary. Beside it, there is a book that highlights the saint's scholarly achievement which was his contribution of translation of Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate. There’s a lion at his feet which recalls the story in which Jerome removed a throne from the lion’s paw. These symbols helped in familiarizing and making the Saint easily recognised. The symbols also emphasise on Saint Jerome’s wisdom, humility and compassion The theme of temptation in this painting is depicted by a standing Venus, the goddess of love, accompanied by playful cupids. These figures are used to show the element of desire that is trying to draw the saint away from his spiritual path. Yet Vasari has shown the loss of temptation by the abandoned quiver, arrows and brazier on the ground which suggests that the worldly desires couldn’t really affect Saint Jerome’s. With these things, the goddess Venus is shown as leaving the scene as if she has accepted that Saint Jerome’s faith is stronger than her influence. Artistically, the painting combines the influence of Florentine painting with ideas he observed from Rome, especially the works of Michelangelo and Raphael.