Communion of the Apostles 1651

Jusepe de Ribera created this monumental, four-meter-wide painting, titled "Communion of the Apostles," during a period defined by religious fervor and the rigid social hierarchies of 17th-century Europe. Ribera, a Spaniard working in Naples, infuses the scene with a visceral, human quality. It depicts the moment when Christ offers bread to his apostles, a symbolic gesture of unity and sacrifice. Look at the varied reactions – some are awestruck, others humbled, and one appears almost in disbelief. Ribera masterfully captures the emotional complexity inherent in religious devotion. But who are these apostles? Mostly men, and painted with such a deep sense of humanity that they challenge the traditional, idealized portrayals of religious figures. Through his use of light and shadow, Ribera brings a stark realism to the scene. It invites us to consider the intersection of faith, doubt, and humanity in a world steeped in both spiritual promise and earthly struggle.