Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome Jacopo Boatari (fl.c.1500)

The composition presents a devotional grouping centered around a maternal figure holding an infant. To her right stands a bearded man in monastic garb. The arrangement is formal and frontal, typical of Renaissance portraiture intended for private veneration.
Here we see the woman draped in rich fabrics – a crimson undergarment visible beneath a voluminous cloak of deep green. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer with an expression that conveys both tenderness and solemnity. The infant she cradles appears plump and rosy-cheeked, his body partially exposed, suggesting vulnerability and innocence. He reaches out toward the bearded man, establishing a visual connection between them.
The man’s presence introduces a layer of narrative complexity. His aged appearance, indicated by the white hair and beard, suggests wisdom and experience. The red cloak he wears is indicative of his status as a religious figure, likely a hermit or scholar dedicated to contemplation. He looks directly at the infant with an expression that blends reverence and perhaps paternal affection.
The background is sparsely rendered, consisting of a hazy landscape receding into the distance. A few trees are visible, their forms softened by atmospheric perspective. This limited depth creates a sense of enclosure, focusing attention on the central figures. The muted palette – dominated by greens, reds, and browns – contributes to the painting’s overall mood of piety and introspection.
Subtleties in the rendering suggest deeper meanings. The infants gesture towards the man could symbolize the transmission of knowledge or spiritual guidance. The woman’s serene countenance might represent not only maternal love but also divine grace. The landscape, though indistinct, hints at a connection between the earthly realm and a higher, unseen reality. Overall, the painting conveys themes of faith, nurture, and the intergenerational passing down of wisdom – a common subject matter in religious art intended to inspire devotion and contemplation.