Ribera

The Spanish Baroque painter, draughtsman and printmaker, Jusepe de Ribera (1591?1652), has long been celebrated for his depictions of human suffering: flayed skin, pierced flesh, twisted expressions and contorted bodies. This new volume is the first to explore the theme of violence in Ribera?s art, demonstrating how his works are neither the product of his supposed sadism nor the expression of a purely aesthetic interest. Rather, they involve a complex artistic, religious and cultural engagement in the depiction of bodily suffering, challenging viewers to experience the arresting images beyond their initial shock.0This catalogue is divided into five thematic chapters: Religious Violence; Skin and the Five Senses; Crime and Punishment; The Bound Figure; and Mythological Violence. It also features essays by Edward Payne and Xavier Bray, a biographical introduction to the artist and a chronology. The book offers a unique perspective on Ribera?s art of violence by addressing its full thematic range not only in painting, but also in prints and drawings. Situating his works within their historical context, this study underscores the relevance of Ribera?s violent imagery in contemporary art and society.00Exhibition: Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, UK (26.09.2018-27.01.2019).