St. Jerome in Penance

The painting "St. Jerome in Penance" by Filippo Lippi, an Italian Renaissance artist, dates back to approximately 1439 and is currently housed in the Lindenau-Museum in Altenburg, Germany. Lippi referenced this work in a letter to Piero de' Medici in 1439, requesting payment for a piece titled "St. Jerome Penitent" which is believed to be this very painting.

"St. Jerome in Penance" is one of the earliest depictions of St. Jerome engaging in acts of penance. The small panel is divided into two distinct scenes. In the upper part, St. Jerome is depicted with a wooden cross, a stone for self-flagellation, and a lectern placed on a rock. The lower part of the panel portrays the saint removing a thorn from a lion's paw. The harsh landscape surrounding St. Jerome symbolizes his ascetic lifestyle, emphasizing his devotion and penance.