Ribera, Jose

Ribera, Jose, called Spagnoletto, a Spanish painter and engraver, was born at San Felipe, Jan. 12, 1588. In his youth he was sent to the capital of his native province to receive a classical education, but did not give himself to that exclusively. His love for art gradually drew him away from all else, and he studied painting under various masters. It is supposed that his peculiar and rather harsh style was gained while under the instruction of Michael Angelo Caravaggio at Naples. Later he went to Rome, to Parma, and other cities of Italy, studying and working with diligence. He finally settled in Naples, was made court painter, and received many favors. In 1630 he was made member of the Academy of St. Luke, and in 1644 received from the pope the decoration of the Order of Christ. He died at Naples in 1656. The works of Ribera deserve a place among those of the best engravers and etchers. Of his works in this style may be mentioned, The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew: — Silenus, and a portrait of John of Austria. His paintings are numerous; in the Louvre is The Adoration of the Shepherds, and among many in Naples a Deposition from the Cross: this is remarkable for a harmony and vigor of tone hardly equaled by his other works. See Cean [Bermudez], Diccionario Historico; Quillet, Dictionnaire des Peintres Espognols; Caballero, Observaciones sobra la Patria de Ribera (Valencia, 1824, 4to).