Saint Jerome

Followers of Jean de la Huerta, Jean de Blany?
Burgundy, second half of the15th century
60,5 cm

^{_{Jean de la Huerta, Saint bishop, Musée Rolin, Autun}}

This exquisite sculpture of Saint Jerome, carved from soft, nearly white limestone typical of eastern France, exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship of 15th-century Burgundian art. The figure of Saint Jerome, a key figure in Christian history renowned for translating the Bible into Latin, is depicted wearing a cardinal’s hat and holding the Vulgate Bible. A lion at his side symbolizes the legendary tale of Jerome taming a wild beast by removing a thorn from its paw. The sculpture’s serene and spiritual quality is captured through the figure’s small yet square face, with delicate features such as stretched eyes and a thin, composed mouth.

Firmly rooted in the illustrious Burgundian sculptural tradition, this work reflects the enduring influence of the renowned Spanish sculptor Jean de la Huerta (1413–1462), who worked for Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy. De la Huerta, along with other prominent artists in Dijon, played a key role in shaping the artistic identity of the region.

This sculpture of Saint Jerome showcases the key features of this distinguished tradition, with a particular emphasis on realism and meticulous attention to details in drapery. The intricate rendering of Saint Jerome’s mantle and hat, along with the thick folds of the drapery gently pooling at his feet, highlight the Burgundian mastery of lifelike representation, particularly in the depiction of clothing. Notably, three inverted V-shaped pleats at the front of the garment reflect the Flemish and Germanic influences present in Jean de la Huerta’s later works, such as the Saint Denis in Moutiers-Saint-Jean Church.

^{_{Attributed to Jan de Blany, Saint Jean on the Calvary, Saint-Anatoile Church in Salins}}

The figure’s pronounced, angular facial structure—with its broad face, square jaw, and pronounced cheekbones—aligns with the stylistic conventions of the period. These features are particularly reminiscent of works by Jean de la Huerta, such as the Saint Bishop in the Musée Rolin in Autun (inv. no. ML.1305).

The low forehead, accentuated by the wide brim of the hat, along with the large, flattened cheeks and small mouth forming a circumflex shape, adds further character to the piece. The crescent-shaped eyes, framed by prominent eyelids and well-defined eyebrows, enhance the expressive quality of the sculpture.

These distinctive features are reminiscent of other notable Burgundian works, such as Richard de Plaine’s praying figure from the Jacobins Chapel in Poligny and the Saint Jean from the Calvary in the Saint-Anatoile Church in Salins, attributed to Jean de Blany. A follower of Jean de la Huerta, Blany upheld his master’s stylistic tradition, evident in the depiction of the characteristic angular faces, with introspective expressions and delicate, serene features, as seen in this sculpture.

^{_{Attributed to Jean de Blany, Richard de Plaine’s praying figure, Jacobins Chapel in Poligny}}

Despite its modest size, this Saint Jerome exudes a monumental presence. Its connection to the artistic milieu of the Burgundian ducal court suggests that it was likely commissioned by a high-ranking political or ecclesiastical figure, further underscoring its significance within the cultural and historical context of the time.

Bibliography:

Baudoin, Jacques. Les Grands Imagiers d’Occident. Nonette: Éd. Créer, 1983. 264 p. Partie V, pp. 172–181.

Baudoin, Jacques. La Sculpture Flamboyante en Bourgogne – Franche-Comté. Nonette: Éd. Créer, 1996.

Boccador, J. Statuaire Médiévale en France de 1400 à 1530. Zoug, vol. I, 1974.

Camp, Pierre. “Les Imageurs Bourguignons de la Fin du Moyen Âge.” Cahiers du Vieux-Dijon, nos. 17-18, 1990, pp. 118-141.

Chabeuf, Henri. “Jean de la Huerta, Antoine Le Moiturier et le Tombeau de Jean sans Peur.” Mémoires de l’Académie des Sciences, Arts et Belles-Lettres de Dijon, 1890-1891, 4e série, vol. II, 1891, pp. 137-271. Read online.

Jugie, S. The Mourners: Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy. Yale University Press, 2010. Especially pp. 76-79, 86, 92, 98-99.

Quarré, Pierre, ed. Jean de la Huerta et la Sculpture Bourguignonne au Milieu du XVe Siècle. [Exhibition at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon], Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne, Dijon, 1972.

Quarré, P. La Sculpture en Bourgogne à la Fin du Moyen Âge. Fribourg, 1978.

La Sculpture Bourguignonne en Auxois et en Autunois à la Fin du XVe Siècle. Musée de Dijon, Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne, 1974