On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01112
- Author
- Ribera, José de (Spanish)
- Title
- The Blind Sculptor, or Allegory of Touch
- Chronology
- 1632
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 125 cm x 98 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
In this more than half-length
portrait, the figure is shown
caressing the head of a classical
sculpture, probably of Apollo. The
most widely-accepted interpretation
of this is that it represents the
sense of touch, as this Valencian
artist frequently painted series of
works on the five senses.
During the eighteenth century, it
was considered a portrait of the
blind sculptor Giovanni Gomelli de
Gambazzo, but this theory can be
rejected because that artist was
not even thirty when this painting
was made. It was also thought to be
a representation of the philosopher
Carneades who, after losing his
sight, was still able to recognize
a bust of the god Pan by touch. It
is probably a representation of the
sense of touch, using the story of
Carneades as its narrative vehicle.
This was a very successful
procedure during that period, when
portraits of ancient philosophers
were associated with allegories of
the senses.
This work's exact origins are
unknown, but it was documented as
being in El Escorial in 1764. From
there, it entered the Prado Museum
in 1837.
Location on the map
