The Last Communion of Saint Jerome

Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi)

Created:
Movement:
1493
Renaissance
key Notes:
Devotional Intensity, Renaissance Humanism
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Dimensions:
13 1/2 x 10 in. (34.3 x 25.4 cm)
medium:
Tempera and gold on wood
Difficulty:
Expert
New game
story of the work:

"The Last Communion of Saint Jerome" is a painting attributed to Sandro Botticelli, created in the early 1490s. The work depicts Saint Jerome, a Christian scholar and translator, receiving communion before his death. It is characterized by Botticelli's signature use of linearity and delicate figures, as well as a somber color palette. The composition emphasizes the spiritual significance of the moment, highlighting themes of mortality and redemption. The painting is believed to have been commissioned for a church or private devotion, reflecting the Renaissance interest in religious subjects. The exact circumstances of its commission and the identity of the patron remain unknown. The painting is currently housed in the collection of the Museo di San Marco in Florence, Italy.

Description of the work:

"The Last Communion of Saint Jerome" by Sandro Botticelli is a tempera and gold on wood painting created in the early 1490s. The composition features Saint Jerome, depicted in a moment of spiritual reflection, receiving communion. He is shown in a somber, contemplative pose, with a skull symbolizing mortality placed prominently in the foreground. The background is characterized by a serene landscape, rendered in soft, muted colors that contrast with the vibrant hues of the saint's garments. Botticelli employs delicate lines and intricate details, particularly in the depiction of the saint's facial expression and the textures of his clothing. Gold leaf is used to enhance the luminosity of the work, contributing to its ethereal quality. The overall arrangement emphasizes the solemnity of the moment, inviting viewers to engage with the themes of faith and mortality.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Last Communion of Saint Jerome