Saint Сhristopher 1637

Jusepe de Ribera's "Saint Christopher" (1637) is a striking depiction of the patron saint of travelers, a towering figure carrying the Christ Child on his shoulder. The painting, housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, showcases Ribera's mastery of tenebrism, a technique that emphasizes strong contrasts of light and dark, lending the scene a dramatic and almost theatrical quality. Ribera's characteristically stark realism, combined with the iconic subject matter, creates a powerful image of faith and protection, making this work a landmark of Spanish Baroque art.