St. Jerome and the lion (4)

According to the legend, the lion, from whose paw St. Jerome had removed the thorn, remained with Jerome for the rest of his life. He therefore appears in paintings that depict scenes from Jerome's later life. Here are two paintings that show Jerome returning to his monastery accompanied by the lion. The other clerics are afraid and some of them flee:

St. Jerome and the lion arrive, c. 1480 (?), by Leonardo Bastiani

St. Jerome and the lion arrive, 1502, by Vittorio Carpaccio

Because St. Jerome was a scholar, he is often shown in his study, surrounding by his writing tools and by books. Here again, he is often shown with the lion nearby:

St. Jerome in his study, 1451, by Antonio da Fabriano

St. Jerome in his study, 1525, by Lucas Cranach the Elder