“The Penance of St. Jerome,” created around 1450 by Piero della Francesca, is a panel painted with tempera. This Early Renaissance religious painting measures 51 x 38 cm and is housed in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, Germany.
In the artwork, Saint Jerome is depicted kneeling barefoot on a rocky terrain, holding a stone in his right hand and a rosary in his left, contemplating before a crucifix and an open book, symbols of his devotion and scholarship. He appears to be clad in a simple, tattered robe, characterizing his penitent and humble lifestyle. The background portrays a serene landscape with a forest of vertically aligned trees receding into the distance, and amidst this natural scene, a solitary tree stands dominant and expansive, contributing to the tranquil and reflective atmosphere. The sky above is rendered with scattered clouds on a clear day, enhancing the sense of peace and spirituality embedded in the painting.
