Juseppe De Ribera Paintings

Jusepe de Ribera, also known as José de Ribera in Spanish and Giuseppe Ribera in Italian, was a notable painter and printmaker, often considered one of the great masters of Spanish Baroque art, despite spending most of his career in Italy. Born on January 12, 1591, in Játiva, near Valencia in Spain, Ribera's early life is not well-documented, but it is known that he emigrated to Italy as a young man, where he would create the bulk of his work.

Ribera moved to Italy around 1611, where he is first recorded in Parma and then Rome. In Rome, he was profoundly influenced by the work of Caravaggio and his followers. The tenebrism, dramatic use of light and shadow, and the physical and emotional realism of Caravaggio’s work left a lasting impression on Ribera’s style. After Rome, by 1616, he settled in Naples, which was then under Spanish rule, and where he would remain for the rest of his life. In Naples, Ribera became a leading painter and received commissions from the Spanish viceroys, local religious orders, and the Neapolitan nobility.

Ribera’s work is characterized by its dramatic lighting, intense realism, and his focus on the human figure, often portrayed in states of suffering or contemplation. His subjects included religious scenes, mythological figures, and portraits. He was also known for his depictions of the lives of saints and martyrs, filled with emotional intensity and often gruesome details. His painting 'Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew' is one of his most famous works, exemplifying his ability to combine realism with a powerful sense of drama.

In addition to his paintings, Ribera was also an accomplished printmaker and his etchings contributed to the spread of his fame across Europe. His influence extended to many artists, not only in Spain and Italy but also across Europe, as his works were collected by the likes of Philip IV of Spain and Ferdinand VII of Naples.

Ribera's legacy lasted beyond his death on September 2, 1652, in Naples. His art remains significant for its contribution to the Baroque style and its influence on later artists, such as the Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbarán and even the French Neoclassical artist Jacques-Louis David. Ribera's work is housed in many major museums around the world, attesting to his enduring impact on the history of art.