Antonio Maria Marini (1668-1725) - Saint Jerome In A Landscape

Oil on canvas.
Dimensions: 74 x 58 cm.
Possible monogram lower left: A.

This painting depicts Saint Jerome in prayer, kneeling before a crucifix and an open book, accompanied by a skull symbolizing meditation on death and the vanity of earthly life. To the left, a lion on a hill evokes the legend of the saint tending to a wounded lion. The scene unfolds in a rocky, meditative landscape under a cloudy sky, where the contrasts of light and shadow accentuate the spiritual and introspective atmosphere. The wild landscape, marked by imposing rock formations, reflects the late Baroque aesthetic, where nature amplifies the divine character of the sacred figures. The artist's free touch is particularly expressive in the textures of the rocks and clouds, giving dynamism and depth to the composition.
An old label on the back mentions "painted by Rembrandt (Original) in 1669", with indications such as "Duke of Aumale" and the number 112, suggesting a prestigious provenance, possibly linked to the collection of the Duke of Aumale, now partly kept at the Condé Museum in Chantilly.