Saint Teresa of Avila
1644
Jusepe de Ribera captures Saint Teresa of Avila in a moment of intense divine inspiration, her eyes fixed on a white dove representing the Holy Spirit. The dramatic lighting—classic Baroque style—illuminates her face and the stark white of her habit against a deep, shadowy background. On her desk, a skull serves as a *memento mori*, a gritty reminder of death that contrasts with her spiritual writing. Ribera was known for his unflinching realism, and here he makes a holy mystic look like a real person caught mid-thought in her study.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
Location: Museo del Prado, Madrid
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