Art of the Louvre: Jusepe de Ribera, The Club-Footed Boy

Jusepe de Ribera’s The Club-Footed Boy transforms unsentimental naturalism into an expression of spiritual metamorphosis. This painting gets its name from Ribera’s candid portrayal of this boy’s foot. However, Ribera’s image, compels the viewer to see this boy as more than a beggar. Using pose, scale, and point of view, Ribera ennobles his humble motif. However, it is Ribera’s light and color that completely transforms our perception of this boy.