Artwork
The Trinity
The Trinity is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition emphasizes the unity of the three persons in one God, a central theme in Counter-Reformation religious art.
The work depicts the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity, showing God the Father supporting the dead Christ whose wounds are visible, while the Holy Spirit appears as a dove descending above them. A putto holds the instruments of the Passion, underscoring Christ’s sacrifice, and a shroud and cloud frame the scene, evoking both the Incarnation and the divine presence. The composition emphasizes the unity of the three persons in one God, a central theme in Counter-Reformation religious art.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1635, this religious painting by Jusepe de Ribera utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 226 cm in height and 181 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition depicts the Holy Trinity, featuring God the Father and Jesus Christ accompanied by a dove representing the Holy Spirit.
These divine figures are situated amidst clouds and are attended by a putto holding a shroud, adhering to traditional iconography for the subject matter.
History & Provenance
The painting titled The Trinity, executed by Jusepe de Ribera in 1635, is an oil on canvas depiction of the Holy Trinity. It entered the collection of Agustín Esteve before passing to Ferdinand VII of Spain, who later donated it to the Museo del Prado where it remains on display. The work was created as a religious composition, reflecting the artistic practice of the period. Its dimensions are recorded as 226 by 181.
The work is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado, Madrid, where it remains today.
Its inventory record at the museum is not specified in the cited sources.
The painting was exhibited at the Museo del Prado in 1819, as recorded in the institution’s early catalogues.
Overview
Jusepe de Ribera, a prominent Spanish Baroque artist working in Naples, completed The Trinity in 1635. This oil painting exemplifies the early Italian Baroque style. It visually interprets the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity, featuring God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, represented as a dove. The work is currently part of the collection at the Museo del Prado.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian:; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
