Artwork
Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The iconography aligns with Counter-Reformation emphases on protective saints, and the depiction emphasizes both physical strength and spiritual guardianship.
The painting portrays Saint Christopher bearing the Christ Child while holding an orb that symbolizes the world, a common attribute identifying the saint as a patron of travelers. The orb underscores his role in carrying the divine and guiding souls across spiritual and physical journeys. Executed in oil on canvas by Jusepe de Ribera in 1637, the work was originally owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain and now resides in the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display.
The iconography aligns with Counter-Reformation emphases on protective saints, and the depiction emphasizes both physical strength and spiritual guardianship.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, measuring 127 centimeters in height by 100 centimeters in width. It portrays Saint Christopher bearing an orb and was created in 1637. The painting was executed in oil paint and is classified as a religious artwork.
History & Provenance
The painting Saint Christopher was created in 1637 by Jusepe de Ribera as an oil on canvas work intended for religious purposes. It entered the collection of Ferdinand VII of Spain following its creation and remains in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it is displayed as part of the royal collection. The composition shows the saint bearing the Christ Child while holding an orb, rendered in oil paint on canvas.
The work is catalogued in the Museo del Prado's records with dimensions of 127 cm in height and 100 cm in width, confirming its large-scale devotional format.
The provenance of Saint Christopher is closely tied to the Spanish monarchy, with documented ownership by Ferdinand VII after its completion. Its creation history is situated within the Baroque period, reflecting the artistic output of Jusepe de Ribera during his mature phase. The painting's religious genre and iconography align with Counter-Reformation themes, emphasizing martyrdom and divine protection through the depiction of Saint Christopher's traditional attributes.
Jusepe de Ribera's oil painting Saint Christopher, created in 1637, is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The work is located within the Royal Palace of Madrid and depicts the saint carrying an orb. Historical records indicate the painting was owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain.
While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available sources, the work's presence in the Prado's holdings is confirmed.
Overview
Jusep de Ribera painted Saint Christopher in 1637, employing oil on canvas. The work belongs to the early Baroque period and is part of the Prado Museum’s collection in Madrid. It presents the legendary saint in a dramatic, low‑key setting characteristic of Ribera’s mature style.
Context
Ribera’s Saint Christopher aligns with the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on clear, emotionally resonant religious imagery. The work’s focus on a single, physically imposing saint, rendered with naturalistic detail, mirrors the broader Italian Baroque trend toward dramatic realism and devotional immediacy.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian:; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
