Saint Matthew
1632
oil
From the collection of Kimbell Art Museum
1632
oil
From the collection of Kimbell Art Museum
This painting depicts a man with a long white beard and hair, dressed in a dark robe with a brown cloak draped over his left shoulder. He is seated, holding a large book in his left hand, with his right hand resting on top of it. The man's gaze is directed slightly to his right, and the background of the painting is dark, which helps to highlight the subject. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects and figures, adds depth to the painting. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, you can explore more of Jusepe de Ribera's works.
