SPANISH SCHOOL. oooooooooo J. RIBERA. coco DRESDEN GALLERY. ST. BARTHOLOMEW. Nothing certain is known respecting St. Bartholomew's birth or country, yet he is believed to have been born in Galilee, as also the other Apostles. Some persons have pretended that his true name was Nathanael, and that Bartholomew means Bar-Tholomai (the son of Ptolemy). Nor is the year of his death known, with more certainty; but it is the received opinion that he was flayed alive, by order of Astiages, king of Armenia. Joseph Ribera, known under the name of Lo Spagnuoletto, has repeatedly painted the Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew; and he has always represented this cruel scene with a colour and truth that revolt. This picture, which was formerly in the Modena gallery, now forms part of that of Dresden. It has been engraved by Marco Pitteri. Width, 7 feet 3 inches; height, 5 feet 7 inches. |