Artwork
Job
Job is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1618 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
This oil on canvas painting depicts an aged figure embodying the biblical character Job, conveying a sense of resignation amidst hardship through somber realism and dramatic lighting.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, identified by the Latin inscription 'NOLI ME CONDEMNARE' (Do not condemn me), alludes to Job’s unwavering piety despite suffering. The figure’s hunched posture and tattered attire visually underscore his endured tribulations.
Technique & Style
The painting exhibits pronounced chiaroscuro, characterized by stark contrasts between deep shadows and vivid highlights, aligning with the stylistic influences of Caravaggio’s followers.
History & Provenance
The artist remains unidentified, but the work is attributed to either the Seville art circle (associated with Zurbarán and Velázquez) or Naples, under the Spanish Empire, during the same period.
Context
Created within the Spanish Empire’s cultural sphere, the painting reflects the religious and artistic themes prevalent in 17th-century Spain and its territories, where Caravaggisti influences were strong.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
