Artwork
The Tears of Saint Peter
The Tears of Saint Peter is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jusepe de Ribera, a Spanish artist working in Italy, completed The Tears of Saint Peter in 1612. This oil painting exemplifies the early Italian Baroque style, presenting a poignant religious scene. It portrays Saint Peter in a moment of profound sorrow, a common theme in devotional art of the period. The work showcases Ribera's dramatic approach to figural representation and emotional intensity.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on the figure of Saint Peter, depicted as an elderly man with a long white beard, kneeling with his head tilted upward.
The painting centers on the figure of Saint Peter, depicted as an elderly man with a long white beard, kneeling with his head tilted upward. His hands are clasped, and his face bears a deeply sorrowful and contemplative expression, suggesting a moment of intense remorse or prayer. The heavy, dark robe draped over his form, along with his bare feet, emphasizes his humility and the emotional weight of his experience.
Technique & Style
Ribera employs a dramatic contrast of light and shadow, a hallmark of early Baroque painting, to illuminate Saint Peter's face and clasped hands. This technique creates a powerful visual focus, making the figure emerge starkly from the almost black background. The intense illumination on the saint's features enhances the emotional depth of the scene, drawing the viewer into his private moment of anguish.
Context
Jusepe de Ribera, though Spanish by birth, spent most of his career in Italy, particularly Naples, where he absorbed and contributed to the developing Baroque style. His work, including The Tears of Saint Peter, reflects the influence of Italian naturalism while maintaining a distinct Spanish sensibility. He is recognized as a pivotal artist within the Spanish Baroque tradition, often grouped with contemporaries like Francisco de Zurbarán and Diego Velázquez.
History & Provenance
The Tears of Saint Peter is currently part of the permanent collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its acquisition contributes to the museum's representation of early 17th-century European art, particularly showcasing the international reach and stylistic developments of the Baroque era. The painting continues to be an important example of Ribera's early career.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian: ; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
