Jusepe de Ribera

• The Beggar

  Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

  Halifax, United Kingdom

  2 works

  

  Museum details
• Saint Francis receives the Seven Privileges from the Angel

  Musei di Strada Nuova

  Genoa, Italy

  1 works

  Museum detailsMap

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• What is Jusepe de Ribera's most famous work?+

  It is difficult to single out one work as Jusepe de Ribera^[9]'s "most famous", as his artistic output was varied and his reputation has shifted over time. Ribera acted as a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school. He is considered one of the most interesting interpreters of the Caravaggesque style. Among his celebrated works is *The Clubfooted Boy*, an oil on canvas from 1642 now held in the Louvre, Paris. The painting depicts a young beggar asking for alms. He holds a paper stating he is deaf and dumb, but faces his plight with a smile. Another important painting is *Drunken Silenus* (1626), which demonstrates Ribera's development of Caravaggio's style toward accentuated expressionism. *Saint Jerome and the Angel of Judgment* (date unknown) is held in the Museo e Gallerie Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples. *Martyrdom of Saint Andrew*, signed in 1628, is another noted work.
• What should I know about Jusepe de Ribera's prints?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9] produced a number of prints, and his paintings were also reproduced in print by others. He created at least 31 versions of half-length philosophers and ancient sages, as well as a series on the Senses; these were marketable and widely circulated. The Dutch artist Bernard Vaillant, along with his brother Wallerant, created a series of mezzotints after Ribera's work. They had learned the mezzotint technique in Frankfurt from Prince Rupert, before returning to Amsterdam by 1665. In 1672, Vaillant printed a series of eight philosophers after Ribera in Amsterdam. An example is Philosopher with Book and Compass. The Vaillant brothers produced several hundred mezzotints; most were after Dutch paintings, but a number were based on Italian paintings. It is believed that the Italian paintings used as models were easily accessible.
• What style or movement did Jusepe de Ribera belong to?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9], also known as Lo Spagnoletto, is associated with the Baroque movement, specifically Spanish Baroque. He acted as a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school. Initially, Ribera adopted the Caravaggesque style, characterised by dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, and a realist approach. He moved to Italy, becoming part of the colony of Spanish painters in Rome around 1615. His early works show the influence of Caravaggio, along with classical and Hellenistic art. Ribera then moved to Naples, where he found an environment suited to his artistic development. He secured the support of the Spanish viceroy and nobles, and produced works for Neapolitan churches. The arrival of Velazquez in Naples in 1630 encouraged Ribera to use a less harsh chiaroscuro and pay more attention to colour. Later in his career, his compositions became lighter and more serene, using brighter colours. Ribera's paintings often depict religious subjects with intense emotion. He also painted genre scenes, portraying common folk and beggars with a stark realism.
• What techniques or materials did Jusepe de Ribera use?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9], also known as Lo Spagnoletto, was a Spanish painter active primarily in Italy. He acted as a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school, and he became one of the most interesting interpreters of the Caravaggesque style. Ribera's early works show the influence of Caravaggio, along with classical and Hellenistic art. The painting *Drunken Silenus* (1626) shows the development of elements drawn from Caravaggio in the direction of an accentuated expressionism. The arrival of Velazquez in Naples in 1630 encouraged Ribera to adopt a less harsh form of chiaroscuro and pay greater attention to colour. After 1640, Ribera painted a group of altarpieces and other religious scenes in which he used bright colours, differing greatly from the earthy hues of his early works. Neapolitan genre painting owes a debt to Ribera, who provided expressive models for an abundant output of common folk, urchins, and animated women from the city's alleys and the countryside.
• What was Jusepe de Ribera known for?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9] (1591-1652) acted as a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school. He is considered one of the most interesting interpreters of the Caravaggesque style. His painterly approach developed into a violent expressionism, marked by religious pathos and an interest in unusual physical traits. After training in Valencia, Ribera moved to Italy with his brother Jeronimo. By 1615, they were key members of the colony of Spanish painters in Rome. His earliest works show the influence of Caravaggio, along with classical and Hellenistic art. Shortly after, Ribera moved to Naples, where he found a cultural environment suitable for pictorial expression. With the support of the viceroy and Spanish nobles, Ribera devoted himself to his art. He also produced works for Neapolitan churches, becoming a model for local religious painting in the first half of the seventeenth century. Examples of his paintings include *Drunken Silenus* (1626), *Clubfooted Boy* (1642), and a series on the five senses.
• When did Jusepe de Ribera live and work?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9] was born in Jativa, near Valencia, in 1591. He died in Naples in 1652. He is considered a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school, and he was one of the most interesting interpreters of the Caravaggesque style. He was known as Lo Spagnoletto (the Little Spaniard). It is believed that Ribera went to Naples at the age of 16, coinciding with Caravaggio’s stay in the region. In 1611, Ribera is documented in Parma, working for Ranuccio Farnese. By 1615, Ribera was living on Rome's Via Margutta, a street favoured by artists. From 1616 onward, after he returned to Naples, he often added the word Hispanus (Spaniard) to his signature. Until 1620, his patron was Don Pedro Téllez-Girón, Duke of Osuna and viceroy of Naples.
• Where can I see Jusepe de Ribera's work?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9]'s paintings can be found in several European and North American museums, as well as in churches. In Spain, the Museo del Prado in Madrid holds a number of works, including *Archimedes (Democritus?)*, *Saint Andrew*, *Holy Trinity*, *Martyrdom of Saint Philip*, and *Saint Paul the Hermit*. Other Spanish locations include the Colegiata de Osuna, Museo Parroquial; the Agustinas de Monterrey, Salamanca; and the Museo Fundacion Duque de Lerma, Hospital de Tavera, in Toledo. Ribera's *Jacob's Dream* and Zurbaran's *Apparition of St Peter the Apostle to St Peter Nolasco* and *St. Casilda* can be seen at the Prado in Madrid. In Italy, many of Ribera's paintings are located in Naples, such as at the Museo e Gallerie Nazionale di Capodimonte, which houses *Drunken Silenus* and *Saint Bruno in Prayer*. Other paintings can be found at the Museo Nazionale di San Martino and the Church of the Certosa di San Martino, also in Naples. Outside of Naples, his *Portrait of a Jesuit* is in Milan's Museo Poldi-Pezzoli. Elsewhere, the Musée du Louvre in Paris has *The Clubfooted Boy* and *Adoration of the Shepherds*. In the United States, *The Sense of Taste* is at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, and the Meadows Museum in Dallas holds *Knight of Santiago*.
• Where was Jusepe de Ribera from?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9] was Spanish. He was born in Jativa, near Valencia, in 1591. Later in life, Ribera would add the phrase "Citizen of Valencia and Jativa" to his signature. This was because of prejudice against Neapolitan artists; Ribera wished to assert his Spanish nationality. It is not known for certain who Ribera trained with, but some believe it was Francisco Ribalta. At the age of sixteen, Ribera moved to Naples, which was then part of the Spanish domain. In 1611, he is documented in Parma, and by 1613, he was living in Rome. There, he became known as Lo Spagnoletto (the Little Spaniard). Thinking that he would have more success in Naples than in Rome, Ribera moved to the capital of the viceroyalty in 1616. That same year, he married the daughter of the Sicilian painter Gian Bernardino Azzolino and established his own workshop.
• Who did Jusepe de Ribera influence?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9], also known as Lo Spagnoletto, acted as a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school. Ribera's art had a considerable impact in Naples. He became the model for the development of local religious painting throughout the first half of the seventeenth century. Ribera's influence also touched Baroque masters of Spain, particularly Diego Velázquez. Velázquez met Ribera on his first trip to Italy and was impressed by his bold art. Despite the differences between them, Ribera's influence is noticeable in Velázquez's later work. Francisco de Zurbarán was also influenced by Ribera. After initial training in Valencia, Ribera moved to Italy, and by 1615, he and his brother Jeronimo were key members of the colony of Spanish painters in Rome. From Naples, many paintings were commissioned by Spanish patrons. The Duke of Osuna, the Spanish viceroy of Naples, introduced Ribera to Neapolitan painting and commissioned canvases for his hometown in Andalusia.
• Who influenced Jusepe de Ribera?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9]'s artistic development involved a number of influences. Although some believe Ribera may have studied with Francisco Ribalta in Valencia, there is no clear stylistic evidence of this. Ribera likely went to Italy between 1607 and 1611. Caravaggio's style was at its peak in Naples at that time, and Ribera adopted the Italian master's approach as his own. By 1615, Ribera was living in Rome, where Caravaggist painting was also thriving. His early works show the impact of Caravaggio, combined with classical and Hellenistic art. While in Parma, Ribera copied the works of Correggio. Later, after settling in Naples, Ribera's style evolved further. In 1630, Velázquez visited him in Naples; afterwards, Ribera adopted a less harsh chiaroscuro and paid more attention to colour.
• Who is jusepe de ribera?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9] was a Spanish painter, born in Jativa, near Valencia. Ribera acted as a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school, and he was one of the most interesting and original interpreters of the Caravaggesque style.
• Who was Jusepe de Ribera?+

  Jusepe de Ribera^[9] (1591-1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker, also known as Lo Spagnoletto (the Little Spaniard). Born in Jativa, near Valencia, he acted as a link between Spanish painting and the Neapolitan school. Around the age of sixteen, Ribera moved to Italy. By 1615, he was living on Rome's Via Margutta, a street favoured by artists, and was a member of the colony of Spanish painters there. His early works show the influence of Caravaggio, as well as classical and Hellenistic art. Around this time, he painted a group of half-length figures representing the five senses. Shortly after, Ribera moved to Naples, where he found an ideal cultural environment. He received support from the viceroy and Spanish nobles, and he devoted himself to his art. He also produced works for Neapolitan churches, especially the Carthusian monastery of San Martino. In 1630, Velazquez's arrival in Naples encouraged Ribera to adopt a less harsh chiaroscuro and pay greater attention to colour. Despite an illness in 1644, he overcame his physical difficulties to produce further masterpieces.