painting (oil): ["Saint Jerome"]

As a penitent, St. Jerome is seen during the four years he spent as a hermit in the Syrian desert. In NCM 1940-33, Saint Jerome is seen as a half-length figure. He has the usual grey hair, beard and red cloak, which is draped around his naked shoulders. He faces the right side of the composition and meditates on the crucifix he is holding in his right hand. He clutches a stone against his chest in his other hand. During his self-imposed exile, Jerome experienced vivid sexual hallucinations and describes in his letters how he would strike himself until temptation passed. Virag 19/12/2004, Between 1984 and 1985, a research assistant, Dr. Brendan Cassidy, was employed by Nottingham Castle Museum to research and write a catalogue of the foreign oil paintings in their collection. The catalogue never materialised, but drafts and notes relating to Cassidy's research can be found in the Artist Files and in the Archive at the museum. All references to Cassidy relate to these documents. On the front: There is an area of re-touching to the left of Jerome's face. There is cracking throughout the paint surface; this is almost noticeable on Jerome's chest. On the reverse: On removal of the backboard; The canvas has been re-lined and there is brown paper around the lining. 1. NCM accession number(s) 2. Yellow label (modern and printed) on backboard: "This painting is on loan from Nottingham Castle Museum. If it is no longer wanted, please do not put it in store, but RETURN IT TO THE MUSEUM" Virag 19/12/2004, Collection of Miss Edith M. Bond