Pietà (Ribera, Madrid) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Pietà |
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|---|---|
| Spanish: La Piedad | |
| Artist | José de Ribera |
| Year | 1633 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 157 cm × 210 cm (62 in × 83 in) |
| Location | Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid |
The Pietà is a famous painting by José de Ribera. He was also known as "The Españoleto". Ribera painted, signed, and dated this artwork in 1633.
About the Painting
This painting is made with oil paints on a canvas. It is quite large, measuring 157 by 210 centimeters. You can see it today at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, Spain.
Ribera painted the subject of the Pietà many times. He made two other well-known versions of this scene. One is at the San Martino Museum. The other is in the National Gallery in London.
History of the Artwork
We don't know who asked Ribera to paint this specific Pietà. The painting used to be part of the Marquis de Heredia's art collection.
Ribera signed his name on the painting. You can find his signature in the bottom right corner, on a rock. It says: "Jusepe de Ribera español 1633". This was how he usually signed his works back then. Ribera was a very busy painter. He created many high-quality artworks from his workshop.
Ribera painted the Pietà scene often throughout his life. He created it with many different changes each time. His earliest known Pietà is from 1620. This one is now in the National Gallery. He made two others in 1633 (the one in the Thyssen Museum) and 1637 (at the Charterhouse of San Martino in Naples).
What the Painting Shows
This artwork was made during a time when Ribera was changing his style. He was known for using deep shadows, a technique called tenebrism. But in this painting, he started using brighter colors. He was inspired by artists like Rubens and van Dyck.
In the painting, the body of Jesus is shown lying down in the front. On the right side, John the Apostle is supporting Jesus's back. The sad Mary Magdalene is kissing Jesus's feet. In the middle, Mary, Jesus's mother, looks up to the sky. Her face shows deep pain, and her hands are together in prayer. In the upper right corner, you can see the face of Joseph of Arimathea. He appears from the darkness, partly hidden by the light and shadow technique called chiaroscuro.
A bright light shines on Jesus's body. It clearly shows his painful wounds. Mary's face and actions also show her deep sadness and pain.
See also
In Spanish: La Piedad (Ribera, Museo Thyssen, Madrid) para niños
