José de Ribera
Spanish·1591–1652
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José de Ribera (1591-1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker who spent most of his career in Naples, where he was known as "Lo Spagnoletto" (the Little Spaniard). He became the leading follower of Caravaggio's dramatic chiaroscuro style and one of the most important painters of the 17th-century Spanish Golden Age.
Ribera's early work features stark tenebrism with figures emerging from deep shadow. His paintings of saints, philosophers, and mythological subjects combine unflinching realism with powerful emotional impact. The Martyrdom of Saint Philip at the Prado and his beggar philosophers are among his most striking works.
Notable Works by José de Ribera
1 painting catalogued with museum locations
Museums with José de Ribera's Work
1 museum displays Ribera's works. Click any museum to see visiting info and the specific works they hold.
About José de Ribera
Ribera was the leading Caravaggist painter in Naples, known for dramatically lit scenes of saints, philosophers, and mythological figures. His unflinching realism and powerful tenebrism define the Spanish-Neapolitan Baroque.
Major collections are at the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Museo di Capodimonte in Naples, and the Louvre.
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