St. Jerome in the Desert

Church of St. Mark, León, Spain

The saint has left behind the civilized world that we see in the background and embarked on a sojourn in the desert that will continue for four years. His renunciation of his life in Rome is signaled by the cardinal's hat and cape that he has tossed away on a withered tree.

Even here, however, he has been beset by sexual desires, so he implores God's help while beating his breast. (Note the bruise on his chest and the stone in his right hand.)

Behind his right arm we see the lion that is his usual attribute.

Read more about St. Jerome.

Photographed at the church by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.