An Apostle

Artist: Jusepe De Ribera (Spanish, 1591 - 1652)

Original Dimensions: 24 3/8" x 19 1/2"

Location: National Gallery of Art, London

About Artwork: (About 1615-19) "This painting probably belonged to a series of Apostles and represents either Saint Thomas or Saint Matthias, both of whose attribute is a spear. Ribera painted several such series throughout his career – the most complete, dating from around 1630, is in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Apostle series were common in Europe from the sixteenth century, and Ribera may have referred to those by his predecessor El Greco. The style suggests this is a youthful work. At least five other apostles, in the same bust-length format and similarly dated, are known. Ribera uses a very limited colour range in this painting and the paint is thickly applied, particularly evident in the highlights on the apostle’s forehead. His lined, ruddy complexion contrasts with the softness of his beard, and the gritty realism of the hand and dirty fingernails is typical of Ribera’s work. The apostle is imbued with astonishing humanity – Ribera must have based him on a real man – and he fixes his eyes on us with an arresting gaze." - (National Gallery of Art, London)