The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew 1620 - 1630

This is Jusepe de Ribera's "The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew," an etching now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The stark, almost brutal, composition immediately grabs your attention. Ribera uses line and shadow to sculpt the scene, creating deep contrasts that emphasize the raw physicality of Bartholomew's suffering. The composition is structured around the diagonal thrust of Bartholomew's body against the rough verticality of the tree trunk. This juxtaposition creates a tension that is both physical and emotional. The executioner and his cronies stand to the left, their faces obscured by shadow, embodying a dark, impersonal force. To the right a man prepares his blade, a tool of his trade. Ribera masterfully employs a semiotic system where light signifies grace and shadow embodies the moral darkness of the execution. This etching is more than a depiction of martyrdom, it's a study of the human form under extreme duress and a philosophical exploration of the boundaries between body and spirit. The formal rigor of Ribera's etching ensures its enduring power.