Jusepe de Ribera’s ‘Holy Family’

One of Spain’s greatest 17th-century artists, Jusepe de Ribera’s success was overshadowed by Caravaggio and other Baroque contemporaries.

A detail from "The Holy Family with Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria," 1648, by Jusepe de Ribera. Public Domain

Jusepe de Ribera (1591–1652) was one of Spain’s greatest 17th-century artists, although, ironically, he spent his career in Italy. Called “Lo Spagnoletto,” or “The Little Spaniard,” he was one of Caravaggio’s most talented followers. In his artistic practice, Ribera modified Caravaggio’s definitive dramatic chiaroscuro to explore a more luminous light. Ribera also incorporated Venetian palettes, Spanish realism, Bolognese classicism, and Roman form.

This polyglotism resulted in Ribera’s unique artistic expression, brilliantly displayed in his late work “The Holy Family With Saints Anne and Catherine of Alexandria” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting, which was featured in a 2001 episode of “The Sopranos,” reflects opposing concepts as it embodies both beauty and realism, the sacred and profane.

Spain’s Golden Age

The 17th century was a glorious time for Spanish Baroque art. The period is referred to as a Golden Age, and it had a quartet of famous painters. Living in Spain were Francisco de Zurbarán, Diego Velázquez, and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Ribera was born in the province of Valencia to a shoemaker and moved to Italy by 1606. He spent his early years abroad working primarily in Rome and Parma. In 1616, Ribera settled permanently in Naples, married the daughter of a prominent local artist, and became the city’s most important painter, influencing a generation of artists near and far.