VERROCCHIO, Andrea del
(b. 1435, Firenze, d. 1488, Venezia)

St Jerome

c. 1465
Paper on wood, 41 x 27 cm
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence

Literally enlightened, the features of the ascetic Jerome appears sculpted by his intellectual and spiritual efforts. The unusual red halo refers to his customary identification as a cardinal. The picture may be a highly finished preparatory work for a larger painting.