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February 15, 2021 St Jerome in His Study, about 1475, 18in by 14in, by Antonello da Messina (about 1430–79), National Gallery, London. Credit: Alamy
Tim Sainsbury on
St Jerome in His Study by Antonello da Messina
‘Antonello da Messina is often credited with introducing painting in oils to Italy and was a pioneer in the use of linear perspective. But it is the exquisite detail evident in every part of the painting that, for me, makes this work so special. You can study it for hours and still spot something new.
‘St Jerome is generally regarded as the most learned of the Four Fathers of the Early Church. His great achievement was translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin, thus making the foundation of our Christian faith accessible to all in the early Church.’