Jusepe de Ribera (Spanish, 1591–1652). <em>Saint Joseph with the Flowering Rod</em>, early 1630s. Oil on panel, 46 × 35 3/4 in. (116.8 × 90.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George D. Pratt, 11.563 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 11.563.jpg)

Jusepe de Ribera (Spanish, 1591–1652). Saint Joseph with the Flowering Rod, early 1630s. Oil on panel, 46 × 35 3/4 in. (116.8 × 90.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George D. Pratt, 11.563 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 11.563.jpg)

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Saint Joseph with the Flowering Rod

Jusepe de Ribera

European Art

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

Called “Lo Spagnoletto” (the little Spaniard) by his Italian clientele, the Spanish-born and trained Ribera made his career in Naples, where his major patron, the Duke of Osuna, served as viceroy to the Spanish Bourbon rulers of southern Italy. Following a Spanish tradition initiated by the famed painter El Greco (1541–1614), Ribera painted individual portraits of Christ’s intimates, including his father Saint Joseph and his disciples. According to apocryphal sources, suitors for the Virgin Mary’s hand were to present rods to the high priest of the Temple. When Joseph’s rod bloomed, he was identified as her betrothed. Ribera conveys the unexpected wonder of the moment with the lighting from above and the aged Joseph’s questioning hand gesture.

ARTIST Jusepe de Ribera, Spanish, 1591–1652

MEDIUM Oil on panel

Place Made: Europe

DATES early 1630s

DIMENSIONS 46 × 35 3/4 in. (116.8 × 90.8 cm) frame: 57 1/4 × 47 1/4 × 3 1/2 in. (145.4 × 120 × 8.9 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed bottom center: "Jusepe Ribera/F"

COLLECTIONS European Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 11.563

CREDIT LINE Gift of George D. Pratt

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Jusepe de Ribera (Spanish, 1591–1652). Saint Joseph with the Flowering Rod, early 1630s. Oil on panel, 46 × 35 3/4 in. (116.8 × 90.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of George D. Pratt, 11.563 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 11.563.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 11.563.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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