Saint Onophrius 1643

Jusepe de Ribera rendered this depiction of Saint Onophrius using oil on canvas. Ribera, a leading painter of the Spanish Baroque period, was known for his tenebrism and naturalistic style, heavily influenced by Caravaggio. Here, the saint is depicted as an aged hermit, his body emaciated and exposed, gazing towards the heavens. Saint Onophrius lived a life of solitude and devotion in the desert. In this context, his nakedness is not simply a physical state, but also a symbol of vulnerability and spiritual purity. The rosary beads and the cross accentuate his religious devotion. Ribera’s painting offers a study in the aesthetics of austerity, inviting us to contemplate the emotional and spiritual dimensions of human existence, and the choices people make to live a solitary life. It’s a visceral meditation on faith, mortality, and the human condition.