The Sculpture of Saint Jerome by Gian Lorenzo Bernini

THE SCULPTURE OF SAINT JEROME
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The Sculpture of Saint Jerome
Over the years, there have several good works of art that different artists have used to communicate their ideas. These art have had a special way of communicating with people. One of the early works of art is known as “the sculpture of Saint Jerome” by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Over the years, there has been a hot debate on the sculpture, with most people marvelling at its beauty and yet not being able to fully understand the concept behind it. In this work, I will examine the sculpture and show why it was one of the most beautiful early pieces of art. I will look at the most important elements of the sculpture and the way they were put together, the messages they communicate and the motivations behind it. I will also look at what inspired the sculpture.
The sculpture was commissioned by Fabio Chigi, a long-time friend to Bernini, after he was chosen as Pope Alexander VII. The work on the sculpture began in 1661 as a redesign to the “Chigi family chapel”. The sculpture shows Saint Jerome, who was scholar and a hermit, holding the cross on his shoulder. The sculpture is a bit heavy at the top and it is his right leg that carriers a majority of the weight. The left leg is a little raised and appears to be buried on the mane of the lion that is lying underneath him in a somewhat relaxed position. The lion’s jaw can also be seen. From the sculpture, Saint Jerome appears to be in an unbalanced position and it is somehow disconcerting. The eyes of Jerome are closed, as if he is praying while his face lies on the “head of Christ on the crucifix” that he carries on his shoulder. This imagery paints a picture of a humble person that quickly creates traction with the viewer. It gives the viewers the opportunity to see Saint Jerome in a clear way, as a person who is humbled before Christ.[Evonne Levy and Carolina Mangone, ed., Material Bernini, Routledge / Taylor & Francis (London, 2016), pp. 73-74, 130-131, repr. pp. 74, 130-131, fig. 4.1]
Jerome is also able to make a strong companionship with the lion. As can be seen in the sculpture, the lion rests calmly at his feet. This further serves to give viewers yet another opportunity to see Jerome as unique person that can coexist with all beings. It is shows the ingenuity and creativity of Bergini. He is able to combine imagery and vision to have a strong connection with the viewers. Therefore, the goal of Bernini is to ensure that viewers are left in awe, marvelling at the humble nature of Saint Jerome and admiring his strong commitment to the comfort he finds in Christ. Showing the lion resting peacefully at his feet, Bernini further works to attract even greater attention of the viewers as they try to wonder the kind of connection that can be between a human being and a lion NOTEREF _Ref530472365 \f \h 1. Any person viewing seeing this sculpture might be tempted to belief that Saint Jerome had some unique capabilities that were instilled in him by Christ.[Sarah McPhee, "Bernini's Sculpture in Clay", The Burlington Magazine (March 2013), CLV, No.1320, pp. 208-210, p. 210, repr. p. 210 as fig. 66]
Looking at the painter, there is ...