Recreating Saint Peter in Penitence (Ribera)

The Penitent Saint Peter (Ribera) 1630’s

Saint Peter in Penitence is a 1630s painting of Peter the Apostle by Jusepe de Ribera, now in the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City.

Spanish by birth, Ribera moved to Italy when he was fourteen or fifteen. He soon became one of the most important and influential followers of Caravaggio’s style. His art was fundamental in the development of painting in Europe in the seventeenth century. 

This early work is first mentioned in 1644 in the collection of Cardinal Benedetto Monaldi Baldeschi in Rome. Saint Peter, his eyes red with tears and his hands clasped in prayer, is shown following his denial of Christ. The shedding of tears of repentance was celebrated in poetry and song and was key to devotional practice.

Recreating Saint Peter in Penitence (Ribera) (Rory Lewis Photographer 2019)

It’s not unusual for photographers to be inspired by other types of art. As you may have noticed there is a great deal of Renaissance Italian influence in my portraiture. Drawing inspiration from the Old Master painters like Caravaggio, Titian and Ribera. I have attempted to masterfully recreate the light, atmosphere and tones of classical portrait paintings. This is even more apparent in my latest project entitled Selah.

Working with model Mark Morante who assumed the role of St Peter, we created living depiction of the work.