Saint Jerome in His Study, 1514, Albrecht Dürer, German, 1471-1528, 9 5/8 x 7 1/4 in. (24.6 x 18.5 cm) (image), Engraving, Germany, 16th century, This engraving has always been regarded as one of Albrecht Dürers masterpieces. The scholarly Saint Jerome (c. 347-420 CE) diligently translates the Bible while sitting in his cozy study. He is accompanied by a lion who became his faithful companion when Jerome removed a thorn from its paw. Besides being kind to animals, Jerome was humble yet tremendously learned, able to translate the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin, a language everyday people could read. Dürer treats us to a spectacular display of light entering through tiny round window panes. Jeromes halo flares even brighter. The metaphorical connection between physical light and spiritual enlightenment is inescapable.