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. Ribera may have been influenced by the tenebrous style of Ribalta however, it was most certainly reinforced later by the works of Caravaggio. The first place he lived was Parma where he was strongly influenced by the works of Correggio. From there he went to Rome where he changed his style completely to that of Caravaggio.

In 1616 he went to Naples where he married and settled for the rest of his life. He became a notably successful artist with the aid of his Spanish connections in the city, as they were the rulers of Naples at that period, his main employer was the Viceroy.

It was stated by Joachim von Sandrart that the painting of Ixion on the Wheel, which was owned by Mr Ussel of Amsterdam, depicted so much agony when his wife, who was with child when she saw it, that the baby when born, had all its fingers distorted as were the fingers of Ixion in the painting, on that account, they sent the painting back to Italy.

Ribera became the principal instigator of the Cabal of Naples, who were 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. His works influenced several artists including the Spanish artists Diego Velázquez and Esteban Murillo.