St. Matthew with the angel 1613

Jusepe de Ribera painted "St. Matthew with the Angel" without providing a specific date, during a time of religious fervor and artistic innovation. Ribera, who lived in Italy and was influenced by Caravaggio, often depicted religious figures with a raw, human quality that challenged idealized portrayals. Here, St. Matthew is an aging man, his brow furrowed in concentration as he writes. The angel, traditionally a divine messenger, is a young, androgynous figure, almost a co-conspirator in the act of creation. The intense chiaroscuro, a technique of contrasting light and shadow, heightens the emotional tension. Matthew’s face and hands are illuminated, drawing our attention to the physical act of writing, while the angel remains partially obscured. This is not just a depiction of divine inspiration, but of human labor and collaboration. Ribera asks us to consider the real, embodied experience of faith and creativity.