St. Jerome in the desert with his lion

St. Jerome in the Wilderness
 
Oil on canvas, ca. 197 by 139 cm.
Provenance: Sotheby's Sale 7-11 March 1979 as attributed to Mateo
Cerezo II, Private Collection USA.
 
The present painting captivates with its dramatic colour palette, confident
brushwork and the emotional intensity the scenery radiates. Traditionally
portrayed as a learned ascetic, Saint Jerome represents commitment to
truth, study, and reflective judgment.
 
Both Italian and Spanish influences can be observed, evoking echoes of works, amongst others, by Titian, Ribera and Valdes Leal. Whilst the rendering of the paint and mastery of the composition clearly reveals a distinguishable and very accomplished hand, the artists’ identity remains a mystery at the present moment.