Pietà (Ribera, Naples) facts for kids
The Pietà is a famous painting created in 1637 by the Spanish artist Jusepe de Ribera. It was made for a special chapel called the Tesoro Nuovo chapel, which is located inside the Certosa di San Martino in Naples, Italy. You can still see this beautiful painting there today.
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What is a Pietà?
A Pietà is a type of artwork that shows the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus Christ after he was taken down from the cross. The word "Pietà" means "pity" or "compassion" in Italian. These paintings often show Mary in deep sorrow, mourning the loss of her son.
Ribera's Pietà is a very powerful painting. It shows Mary holding Jesus, surrounded by other figures who are also grieving. The artist used strong contrasts between light and shadow, which is a style known as Chiaroscuro. This makes the painting feel very dramatic and emotional. You can see the pain and sadness on the faces of the people in the painting, especially Mary's.
About the Artist: Jusepe de Ribera
Jusepe de Ribera (pronounced Hoo-SEH-peh deh Ree-BEH-rah) was an important Spanish painter who lived from 1591 to 1652. He spent most of his career working in Naples, Italy, which was part of the Spanish Empire at the time. Ribera was known for his realistic and often intense paintings. He was a master of the Baroque style, which is famous for its drama, rich colors, and strong emotions.
Ribera often painted religious scenes, showing saints, martyrs, and biblical stories. His works are known for their detailed figures and the way he captured human feelings. The Pietà is a great example of his skill in showing deep sorrow and human suffering in a way that truly moves the viewer.
Where to Find This Painting
The Pietà painting is located in the Certosa di San Martino in Naples, Italy. This building is a large monastery complex that sits on a hill overlooking the city. It was built in the 14th century and later renovated in the Baroque style. Today, part of the Certosa di San Martino is a museum. It holds many important artworks and historical items from Naples. Ribera's Pietà is one of the most famous paintings displayed there, showing the rich artistic history of the city.
See also
In Spanish: La Piedad (Ribera, Nápoles) para niños
Sources
- https://www.nortonsimon.org/collections/browse_title.php?id=F.1970.03.011.D
- AA.VV., Napoli e dintorni, Touring Club Italiano Milano, 2007, ISBN: 978-88-365-3893-5
- Francesco Abbate, Storia dell'arte nell'Italia meridionale: Il Sud angioino e aragonese, Donzelli Editore, 1998, ISBN: 978-88-6036-413-5
- Spinosa N., Ribera – Opera completa, Editrice Electa, 2006
