Exhibition Highlights
St Jerome in his Study
Antonello da Messina
About 1475, Venice
Oil on lime wood
Antonello da Messina portrays a contemplative St Jerome, one of the 'Fathers of the Church', in a Gothic setting that merges domestic and church architecture. The use of oil paint, rare in Italy at this time and allowing an extraordinary fineness of detail, was inspired by Netherlandish art. Paintings from the Netherlands became increasingly, popular among Italian collectors during this period. In 1529 a Venetian art-lover, Marcantonio Michiel, saw this picture during a visit to the house of Antonio Pasqualino in Venice. He wrote, 'All the work - its finish, colouring, strength and relief - is perfect'.
