St. Roch - Jusepe de Ribera

A depiction of St. Roch by Jusepe de Ribera, the painting features the saint displaying a plague sore on his thigh, accompanied by a dog holding bread in its mouth. The composition is simple, with a dark background that contrasts with the lighter skin tones of the saint.

Jusepe de Ribera, a leading painter and printmaker of the Spanish Baroque period, created this depiction of St. Roch. Ribera, also known as José de Ribera and as Jusepe Ribera in Spanish, spent most of his active life in Italy, specifically Naples, then part of the Spanish Empire. His work is characterised by its naturalism, dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism), and often, its emotionally charged subjects. He drew influence from Caravaggio and the masters of the Italian Renaissance. In this painting, St. Roch is shown in a contemplative pose, his attention directed towards the viewer. Roch is traditionally depicted displaying a plague sore on his thigh, a symbol of his suffering and miraculous healing. A dog, often included in depictions of St. Roch, is present, holding bread in its mouth, referencing the legend that a dog sustained him during his isolation. The composition is simple, with a dark background that contrasts with the lighter skin tones of the saint, creating a dramatic effect. The colour palette is restrained, dominated by dark browns, blacks, and creams, typical of Ribera's tenebrist style.