The release of the Apostle Peter from prison by Jusepe de Ribera

“The release of the Apostle Peter from the dungeon” is a work typical of Ribera. In it, as in many of his works, there is the theme of martyrdom for the faith. The light penetrating from the window pulls out from the gloom the figure of the apostle Peter lying on the floor and illuminates the angel who has flown to him.

The naturalism with which the wrinkled face and hand of St. Peter and the whole figure of an angel are written, and the contrasting light and shade recall the influence of Caravaggio’s creativity on the artist. The figure of the angel, the gesture of the hand of the inviting Saint to the exit, is full of the charm of an unearthly being. The color decision of the picture also speaks of the artist’s close acquaintance with the works of Van Dyck, Tintoretto and Veronese.