Circle of BLAS DE PRADO (Camarena, Toledo, around 1545- Madrid, 1599). "Saint Jerome. Oil on canvas. Relined. Frame of the XVIII century. Size: 130 x 108 cm; 140 x 120 cm (frame). In this canvas the theme of Saint Jerome penitent in the desert is approached through a scenographic and open composition, with a silver illumination that succeeds in the way of enhancing the pathos of the scene. The painting is attributed to Blas de Prado, whose work is characterised by monumental figures, skilfully modelled in contrasting light, as is the case here. The saint is depicted full-length, chiselled by chiaroscuro, with his naked torso and the muscles of his legs partially covered by the draped cloak, which has an intense crimson hue. The saint is depicted in a rocky setting, open to a nocturnal landscape with a waterfall. Next to him we see the lion, lying at his feet, the skull and a crucifix, all enveloped in a nuanced half-light. Blas de Prado was a painter of whom few biographical details are known to date. He worked mainly in Toledo, where there are a number of contracts located around the city and where contemporary sources mention him. It is also known that he worked at court, earning the esteem of Philip II. It is known that he painted portraits, Francisco Pacheco considers him to be the introducer of the still life in Spain (he was Juan Sánchez Cotán's teacher) and, as well as being familiar with Italian production through his work at El Escorial, there are those who defend the possibility of a trip to Italy that would allow him to see the works at first hand, influenced above all by Michelangelo in several of the works that have been preserved. Today his paintings can only be seen in major private collections and institutions such as the Museo del Prado in Madrid, the Museo de Santa Cruz in Toledo, Valencia Cathedral, the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo), the Palacio de Liria (Madrid), drawings in the Uffizzi Gallery in Florence, the Louvre Museum in Paris, etc. Dimensions 130 x 108 cm .; 140 x 120 cm. (Frame).