Artwork
The Penitent St. Peter
The Penitent St. Peter is a print by the Baroque artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Penitent St.
About this work
Overview
The Penitent St. Peter, a print by Jusepe de Ribera, dates to circa 1621. Characteristic of Spanish Baroque, it showcases Ribera's mastery alongside contemporaries like Zurbarán and Velázquez.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays an aged St. Peter in repentance, his remorse conveyed through gaunt facial features and clasped hands in prayer, reflecting the era's emphasis on dramatic religious introspection.
Technique & Style
Ribera employs dramatic realism, emphasizing emotional depth through expressive facial expressions and body language against a subdued background, suggestive of chiaroscuro techniques.
History & Provenance
Created during Ribera's active period in Naples, the piece is part of his notable output as a leading Spanish Baroque artist, though specific provenance details are not provided here.
Context
This print aligns with the religious and artistic themes of the early 17th century, where simplicity in composition (e.g., a key as a symbolic attribute) served to intensify emotional and spiritual themes.
Legacy
The Penitent St. Peter contributes to Ribera's legacy in Spanish Baroque, illustrating the period's artistic values and influencing the depiction of religious subjects with profound emotional depth.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian: ; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
