Origins & Early Life

Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian: [josep ðe riˈβeɾa]; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker. Ribera, Francisco de Zurbarán, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and Diego Velázquez, are regarded as the major artists of Spanish Baroque painting. Referring to a series of Ribera exhibitions held in the late 20th century, Philippe de Montebello wrote "If Ribera's status as the undisputed protagonist of Neapolitan painting had ever been in doubt, it was no longer. Indeed, to many it seemed that Ribera emerged from these exhibitions as not simply the greatest Neapolitan artist of his age but one of the outstanding European masters of the seventeenth century." Jusepe de Ribera has also been referred to as José de Ribera (usual in Spanish and French), and was called Lo Spagnoletto (Italian for "the Little Spaniard") by his contemporaries and early historians.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Ribera created history paintings, including traditional Biblical subjects and episodes from Greek mythology. He is perhaps best known for his numerous views of martyrdom, which at times are brutal scenes depicting bound saints and satyrs as they are flayed or crucified in agony. Less familiar are his occasional...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• John of the Cross — Contemporary (Died in 1591) (1591): Spanish mystic and Carmelite friar, foundational figure of the Counter-Reformation.
• Georges de La Tour — Contemporary (Died in 1652) (1652): Master of Baroque chiaroscuro, famed for religious scenes lit by candlelight.
• Inigo Jones — Contemporary (Died in 1652) (1652): Pioneering English architect who introduced classical Roman and Italian Renaissance styles to England.
• Madame d'Aulnoy — Contemporary (Born in 1652) (1652): Pioneering French author, credited with coining the literary genre of fairy tales.
• Agatha Christie — Shared historical date (01-12 · Died) (1976): The 'Queen of Crime,' a master of the mystery genre, best-selling author of all time.
• Charles Perrault — Shared historical date (01-12 · Born) (1628): Foundational French author, credited with establishing the modern genre of the fairy tale.
• Adolphe Thiers — Shared historical date (09-03 · Died) (1877): Influential French statesman, historian, and President of the Third Republic.
• Charlie Sheen — Shared historical date (09-03 · Born) (1965): American actor known for roles in film and television, achieving significant stardom.
• Edmund Burke — Shared historical date (01-12 · Born) (1729): Founder of modern political conservatism, influential philosopher and statesman.
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