Figure of a Woman
Jusepe de Ribera·1636
Historical Context
Figure of a Woman at the Prado, painted in 1636, is an unusual female subject in Ribera's predominantly male-centered oeuvre. The painting demonstrates his ability to render feminine beauty alongside his more characteristic rugged male subjects. 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 works for Spanish viceroys, Italian...
Technical Analysis
The female figure is rendered with warmer, softer handling than Ribera's typical masculine subjects. The warm palette shows a gentler side of his naturalistic approach.
