St. Jerome Penitent

Antonello da Messina, a celebrated Italian Renaissance artist, produced two noteworthy paintings: "St. Jerome Penitent" and "Abraham Served by the Angels." These masterpieces are now exhibited at the Pinacoteca Civica in Reggio Calabria. Both works are considered among Antonello's earliest creations and were intended for private devotion.

In "St. Jerome Penitent" Antonello expertly fuses elements from both Flemish and Italian painting traditions. The rugged landscape shows a strong resemblance to Flemish art, while St. Jerome's humble kneeling posture is distinctly Italian in style.

"Abraham Served by the Angels" was initially misinterpreted as part of a larger Nativity scene due to its deteriorated condition. Nevertheless, the true theme of the painting was uncovered following the discovery of a small panel by a 15th-century French master in Denver, depicting the complete scene. The missing portion of Antonello's work would have shown Sarah observing Abraham from the door of a hut.

These paintings not only underscore Antonello da Messina's early artistic prowess but also his skill in integrating diverse artistic traditions into cohesive and meaningful devotional pieces.