St Paul the Hermit
by RIBERA, Jusepe de, Oil on canvas, 130 x 104 cm
The seventeenth century was a very productive period for Spanish painting. Spain’s extensive trade links brought with them an interchange of artistic ideas, particularly with Italy. Jusepe de Ribera played an important role in this. He began his studies with Ribalta but left Spain early on and went to Italy, where he discovered the work of Caravaggio. His style is characterized by strong light and shade, together with a realistic portrayal even of religious themes, as seen in his St Paul the Hermit of 1647.