Study of Saint Jerome in Penitence
Old Master Drawing on laid paper • Circle of Palma il Giovane (Jacopo Negretti) or Venetian School
Style & Movement
Late Mannerism / Early Baroque
Medium & Technique
Pen and brown ink with brown wash over traces of black chalk or graphite
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th Century (c. 1580-1620)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25 x 20 cm; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
A profile study of an elderly, bearded man (identifiable as St. Jerome) looking upward in devotion, clutching a crucifix. The composition focuses on the muscular tension of the neck and the expressive topography of the aging face.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows signs of age-related wear consistent with a 400-year-old work on paper
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $6,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private workshop collection or 'zibaldone' (commonplace book) of drawings; no visible collector stamps or 'lugs' are present in the provided image.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the transition from Mannerist artifice to the anatomical naturalism of the Baroque, specifically within the North Italian tradition of 'teste di carattere' (character heads).
Notable Features
Masterful use of brown wash to define volume in the neck muscles and the 'di sotto in su' (low angle) perspective which enhances the spiritual intensity.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing, surface soiling, edge wear, and a notable circular stain in the upper left quadrant. Vertical and horizontal creases suggest the paper was once folded.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional dry cleaning to reduce surface dirt; acidification testing; housing in a museum-grade, acid-free mount under UV-filtering glass.