On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01101
- Author
- Ribera, José de (Spanish)
- Title
- The Martyrdom of Saint Philip
- Chronology
- 1639
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 234 cm x 234 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
The Apostle, who was the patron
saint of King Felipe IV, preached
in Sythia and in Hieropolis, the
city where he was crucified with
ropes and buried at the age of 87.
Ribera shows him nude, tied to the
crosspiece at the moment when three
executioners begin to raise him in
presence of a group of heathens.
The female figure with a child in
her arms at the left may be an
allegory of Christian
Charity.
For some time, this painting was
thought to be the torment of Saint
Bartholomew. It is one of the must
disturbing representations of
martyrdom in all of Baroque
painting. The luminous background,
light colors and mastery of the
diagonal composition are
characteristic of works from
Ribera's second period.
This work is signed and dated on
the stone in the lower right
corner.
Location on the map
