# Saint Jerome in Penitence, in a Cave

- By: Albrecht Altdorfer (German, c.1480-1538)
- Date: 1500/38
- Medium: Wood engraving in black on cream laid paper
- Classification: Print
- Dimensions: Image/block/sheet: 16.8 × 12 cm (6 5/8 × 4 3/4 in.)
- Culture: Germany
- Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/77846)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/5273cfc2-12f2-260d-a81b-407fd1e0f7ae/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Albrecht Altdorfer’s sophisticated handling of woodcutting tools allows this relief image to appear almost three- dimensional. The shadows of the cave around the hermit Saint Jerome open gradually into ever-darker passages and spartan living quarters beyond. The saint, his protective lion companion, and the makeshift altar become the focal points for the light emanating from the entry to the cave on the right. Like Jerome, the viewer is situated in a literally and spiritually dark space within the tomb-like cavern.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0