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Notes
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This painting probably belonged to a series of Apostles and represents either Saint Thomas or Saint Matthias, both of whose attribute is a spear. Ribera painted several such series throughout his career – the most complete, dating from around 1630, is in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Apostle series were common in Europe from the sixteenth century, and Ribera may have referred to those by his predecessor El Greco. The style suggests this is a youthful work. At least five other apostles, in the same bust-length format and similarly dated, are known. Ribera uses a very limited colour range in this painting and the paint is thickly applied, particularly evident in the highlights on the apostle’s forehead. His lined, ruddy complexion contrasts with the softness of his beard, and the gritty realism of the hand and dirty fingernails is typical of Ribera’s work.
Title
An Apostle
Date
about 1615-19
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 62 x W 49.5 cm
Accession number
NG6577
Acquisition method
Presented anonymously, 1999
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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