Brief Biography-José de Ribera, sometimes known as Lo Spagnoletto the Little Spaniard, was regarded as a disciple of Caravaggio. He moved from Spain to Italy after studying under Francesco Ribalta in Valencia; both artists hailed from the region of Valencia. The tenebrous style of Ribalta influenced Ribera; however, it was most certainly reinforced later by the paintings of Caravaggio. The first place he lived was Parma, where the works of Correggiostrongly influenced him. Next, he went to Rome, where he changed his style entirely to Caravaggio’s.
In 1616, he went to Naples, where he married and settled for the rest of his life. He became a notably successful artist with his Spanish connections in the city. They were the rulers of Naples at that period; his principal employer was the Viceroy.
Joachim von Sandrart said of the painting of Ixion on the Wheel, which Mr Ussel of Amsterdam owned. It depicted so much agony when his wife, who was with child, saw it that the baby, when born, had all its fingers distorted, as were the fingers of Ixion in the painting. So, on that account, they sent the picture back to Italy.
Ribera became the principal instigator of the Cabal of Naples, a group that protected the city’s workplace for Neapolitan artists only through the intimidation of outsiders. During the revolt against the rule of Habsburg, Spain, in Naples in 1647, he moved from his home to a house of refuge where his work diminished, and he died in relative poverty. Nevertheless, his works influenced several artists, including the Spanish artists Diego Velázquez and Esteban Murillo.