Hecate: Procession to a Witches Sabbath
Jusepe de Ribera·1620
Historical Context
Hecate: Procession to a Witches' Sabbath at Apsley House, attributed to Ribera around 1620, depicts a rare supernatural subject from the painter otherwise known for saints and philosophers. The night scene draws on popular fears of witchcraft that persisted in early modern Europe. Ribera's technique combined meticulous drawing from life with bold Caravaggesque chiaroscuro, applied in oil on canvas using impastoed highlights over transparent warm-toned grounds. His Neapolitan workshop produced...
Technical Analysis
The nocturnal procession creates an atmosphere of sinister enchantment. Ribera's dramatic tenebrism is perfectly suited to the dark subject matter, with flickering light revealing disturbing details.
