The Martyrdom of Saint Philip facts for kids

The Martyrdom of Saint Philip (Spanish: Martirio de San Felipe) is a famous painting by the Spanish artist Jusepe de Ribera. He finished this artwork in 1639.

Many people think this painting is one of Ribera's best works. It is currently on display at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.

What the Painting Shows

For a long time, people thought this painting showed the death of another apostle, Bartholomew. But in 1953, an art expert named Delphine Fitz Derby figured out that it actually shows Philip the Apostle.

Philip was one of Jesus's twelve main followers. After Jesus came back to life, Philip traveled with his sister Mariamne and another apostle, Bartholomew. They taught people in places like Greece, Phrygia, and Syria. Philip died for his beliefs in a city called Hierapolis.

A Dramatic Moment

Ribera's painting captures the exact moment before Philip's death. Two people are trying to lift him up. Another person supports one of his legs. The artist painted this scene from a low angle. This makes the main people in the painting look very tall and important. You can also see a large, bright blue sky above them.

Bright sunlight shines on Philip's face. You can see he is in pain, but he also looks calm and accepting. Ribera used strong contrasts between light and shadow. This makes the scene feel very dramatic and powerful.

People in the Scene

On the right side of the painting, there are people watching. They look curious and seem to be talking about what is happening.

On the left side, there's a different group of people. They don't seem to notice the main event. One woman holds a small child in her arms. She looks out at the viewer, which means she's looking at us! This part of the painting adds a soft and gentle feeling. It's a nice contrast to the serious and intense scene happening nearby. Some art experts believe this woman might represent "Charity," which means kindness and love.

History of the Painting

The Martyrdom of Saint Philip was probably ordered by a powerful person called the II Duke of Medina de las Torres. He likely wanted to give it as a gift to King Philip IV of Spain. Philip the Apostle was the king's special saint, so it was a fitting present.

For many years, the painting was part of the Spanish royal art collection. It even survived a big fire at the Royal Alcázar palace in 1734. After the fire, it was moved to other royal palaces, like the Buen Retiro Palace and the Royal Palace of Madrid. Sometime after 1818, the painting found its permanent home at the Museo del Prado.

See also

In Spanish: Martirio de san Felipe (Ribera) para niños