El Greco’s painting of Saint Jerome as a cardinal is a popular composition that the artist painted in several versions. In these paintings, El Greco portrays St. Jerome as both scholarly and ascetic. The identification of El Greco’s Cardinal with Niño de Guevara is now widely accepted based on recent studies.
One version of St. Jerome as Cardinal painted by El Greco can be found in the National Gallery in London. Another painting of Saint Jerome by El Greco, which depicts him in the robes of a cardinal holding an open book, can be found at the Frick Collection.
El Greco synthesized the scholarly and ascetic aspects of Saint Jerome in his paintings, making it popular among humanists and scholars during the Renaissance era. This masterpiece is not only an exquisite example of religious art but also a testimony to El Greco’s exceptional skills as an artist.
In conclusion, through his various compositions of Saint Jerome as a cardinal, El Greco has left behind a lasting legacy that continues to capture attention worldwide centuries after its creation.
