St. Jerome, Attributed To The Master Of The Greenville Tondo, A Tuscan Pupil Of Pietro Vannucci

An interesting and rare painting that was originally part of a domestic tabernacle, for which this panel served as the door of the wings enclosing it, as can be inferred from the small holes for the hinges on the right side of the painting.

This Saint Jerome was painted by a talented student or assistant of Pietro di Cristoforo, known as Perugino, as can be inferred from the unmistakable style of the master, who was born in Città della Pieve in 1446.

It is plausible that this small panel was produced between the late 15th century and the very early years of the 16th century, when Vannucci, at the height of his highly acclaimed artistry, maintained two workshops—one in Perugia and one in Florence— which served as a breeding ground for artists closely tied to the master’s figurative compositions, contributing to the widespread dissemination of his artistic standards.

It is not easy to venture an attribution, given that numerous artists worked as employees or apprentices under Vannucci, such as, for example, in Perugia: Andrea d’Assisi, known as “l’Ingegno”; Giannicola di Paolo; Antonio da Viterbo, known as “il Pastura”; and others. Certainly, the qualities of this painting make such an attribution possible through a thorough study of the sources and a careful stylistic analysis.

It is plausible that this work was executed by these faithful assistants of his, mentioned above, but one must remember the numerous works from the Perugia school also attributed to anonymous artists, who had already contributed to spreading the master’s taste and style.

In fact, stylistic affinities can be seen with works attributed to the so-called Master of the Greenville Tondo, whom scholars hypothesize was an artist of Tuscan descent who, following his Florentine apprenticeship with Pietro Vannucci, produced numerous devotional works for ecclesiastical and private patrons throughout Tuscany and Umbria, even reaching as far as Campania in his later years. It was the scholars Everett Fahy and Federico Zeri who grouped together under this name some thirty works known to them.

Oil on panel painted at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. c. 1500.

The painting is in excellent condition. Height 65 cm x 20 cm width.

Critical research on the painting for the purpose of its attribution was conducted by Dr. Marco Bompadre, who is available to provide an expert report upon request

A historical certificate of authenticity is included with the sale.

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