Description
The Ixion painting by Jusepe De Ribera is a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque art. The piece, which measures 220 x 301 cm, represents the myth of Ixion, a king who was punished by Zeus for trying to seduce Hera, the god's wife.
Ribera's artistic style is characterized by its realism and its dramatic use of light and shadow. In Ixion, the artist uses this style to create an intense and exciting scene. Ixion's body, who is being tortured by the Furies, is twisted in pain, while his face shows an expression of extreme agony.
The composition of the painting is impressive, with Ixion in the center surrounded by the Furies and other mythological characters. The use of the diagonal in the composition creates a sense of movement and tension, while the perspective gives depth to the scene.
The color in Ixion is dark and somber, with earthy tones and black predominant. This reflects the theme of the painting, which is torture and punishment.
The history of the painting is interesting, as it is believed to have been commissioned by the Duke of Osuna in the 1630s. The work was displayed in the Palacio de los Duques de Osuna in Madrid for many years before being sold to the family. Rothschild in the 19th century. Finally, the painting was acquired by the Prado Museum in 1983.
A little known aspect of the Ixion painting is that Ribera did not use models to create the work. Instead, he drew on his knowledge of human anatomy and his ability to realistically depict the human body.
In summary, Jusepe De Ribera's painting Ixion is a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque art that stands out for its realistic and dramatic artistic style, its impressive composition, its use of dark color and its interesting history.