Provenance: Formerly San Giovanni Battista Foundation, Genoa
Dimensions: Height 120 cm, width 166 cm
The work belongs to the period of full maturity of the artist, who between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries profoundly influenced Ligurian art. The subject is the moment of contemplation and penance of Saint Jerome, a scene that evokes his hermitic life in the desert, as narrated in the Scriptures.
The artist shows Saint Jerome in the desert, surrounded by wild and majestic nature, in an expression of profound meditation and solitude, typical of the religious tradition of the time. The painter, with his refined technique, uses warm and vibrant tones that enhance the drama of the scene. The figure of the saint is sculpted in light, highlighting his solitude and his relationship with God, through the contrast between the central figure and the dynamic background. The lower part of the painting, with the lion symbolizing strength and divine protection, is a classic and iconographic reference that adds a spiritual dimension to the work.
The canvas also stands out for the executive technique of De Ferrari, known for his ability to give volume and dynamism to the figures, giving them a palpable energy. The pictorial rendering of details, such as the folds of the robes and the arid landscape that surrounds the saint, demonstrates the artist's mastery in the use of light and texture.
