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The Spanish-born artist Jusepe de Ribera served a broad repertoire ranging from biblical themes and genre painting to mythological themes and portraits of outsiders in society such as as ascetics and penitents. Art historians usually divide De Ribera's work into three different style sections: The years 1620 to 1635 as the period of dramatic chiaroscuro contrasts, influenced by the popular artist Caravaggio; the period from 1635 to 1639 as the phase of soft luminosity and sensitive but strongly pasty lines; and last but not least, the era from 1640 to 1652 in which De Ribera's paintings are characterized by a loose brushstroke and less detail. De Ribera's entire oeuvre shows excellently the stylistic transition from the early to the late Baroque. The artist also worked as an etcher. In his etchings De Ribera used a refined and precise painting technique. The Spanish painter lived and worked for the longest time of his life in the Italian city of Naples.
There is little information about Jusepe de Ribera. There is, for example, nothing documented about a possible artistic education. However, it is known that De Ribera was born as the son of a simple shoemaker in Játiva in the province of Valencia. It is also recorded that De Ribera travelled to Italy as a young man and spent time in Lombardy. Another stop on his journey was Parma. According to a myth, local artists were so jealous of the talented foreigner that he felt compelled to leave the city and travel on to Rome. However, De Ribera also left the cultural metropolis quickly, as he was forced to flee due to an enormous accumulation of debts. Finally, the Spaniard settled in Naples. With his wife Caterina Azzolino, the daughter of a painter, he had a total of seven children.
In 1625 De Ribera became a member of the Academy of St Luke in Rome. Six years later, the Pope of the time awarded him an Order of Christ. Even if it is not documented, art historians assume that the religious artist was most likely induced by these important events to visit Rome again. De Ribera never intended to return to his native Spain. The Italians appreciated De Ribera and his paintings and etchings were popular with Italy's wealthy society. As a result, the foreign artist was even affectionately nicknamed "the little Spaniard" (Lo Spagnoletto) and had many patrons who helped him through difficult economic times.
The Spanish-born artist Jusepe de Ribera served a broad repertoire ranging from biblical themes and genre painting to mythological themes and portraits of outsiders in society such as as ascetics and penitents. Art historians usually divide De Ribera's work into three different style sections: The years 1620 to 1635 as the period of dramatic chiaroscuro contrasts, influenced by the popular artist Caravaggio; the period from 1635 to 1639 as the phase of soft luminosity and sensitive but strongly pasty lines; and last but not least, the era from 1640 to 1652 in which De Ribera's paintings are characterized by a loose brushstroke and less detail. De Ribera's entire oeuvre shows excellently the stylistic transition from the early to the late Baroque. The artist also worked as an etcher. In his etchings De Ribera used a refined and precise painting technique. The Spanish painter lived and worked for the longest time of his life in the Italian city of Naples.
There is little information about Jusepe de Ribera. There is, for example, nothing documented about a possible artistic education. However, it is known that De Ribera was born as the son of a simple shoemaker in Játiva in the province of Valencia. It is also recorded that De Ribera travelled to Italy as a young man and spent time in Lombardy. Another stop on his journey was Parma. According to a myth, local artists were so jealous of the talented foreigner that he felt compelled to leave the city and travel on to Rome. However, De Ribera also left the cultural metropolis quickly, as he was forced to flee due to an enormous accumulation of debts. Finally, the Spaniard settled in Naples. With his wife Caterina Azzolino, the daughter of a painter, he had a total of seven children.
In 1625 De Ribera became a member of the Academy of St Luke in Rome. Six years later, the Pope of the time awarded him an Order of Christ. Even if it is not documented, art historians assume that the religious artist was most likely induced by these important events to visit Rome again. De Ribera never intended to return to his native Spain. The Italians appreciated De Ribera and his paintings and etchings were popular with Italy's wealthy society. As a result, the foreign artist was even affectionately nicknamed "the little Spaniard" (Lo Spagnoletto) and had many patrons who helped him through difficult economic times.