Artwork
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is an unspecified painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
About this work
Overview
This 1635 painting, Saint Joseph, is a work by Jusepe de Ribera, a Spanish artist active in Naples during the 17th century.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Saint Joseph, an elderly man with a long white beard, lost in contemplation as he gazes upwards, grasping a staff adorned with flowers or leaves, conveying a sense of spiritual connection.
Technique & Style
Ribera's use of tenebrist style is evident in the strong chiaroscuro, creating a dramatic contrast between light and dark, and drawing attention to the subject's face and hands.
Context
The work is characteristic of the Spanish Baroque movement, and reflects Ribera's association with other notable artists of the time, including Zurbarán and Velázquez.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian: ; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
