As a penitent, Saint Jerome is seen during the four years he spent as a hermit in the Syrian desert. In this painting Saint Jerome is seen as a half-length figure. He has the usual grey hair, beard and red cloak, which is draped around his naked shoulders. He faces the right side of the composition and meditates on the crucifix he is holding in his right hand. He clutches a stone against his chest in his other hand. During his self-imposed exile, Jerome experienced vivid sexual hallucinations and describes in his letters how he would strike himself until temptation passed.