Ribera's Ixion - Why Art has Power (Visual Essay)

Depicted in José de Ribera's 1632 painting, Ixion was the father of the centaurs and a mythical villain condemned to eternal torture in Tartarus by the Greek gods. In this video essay, I explore the fascinating story of the myth itself, and discuss why someone might commission such a violent and brutal painting. Art has always been powerful, and the powerful have always used art. Ribera himself was a Spanish master of the Baroque who gained fame in Italy, fell into ignominy, but has recently enjoyed a bit of a resurgence; his artistry and skill are being acknowledged once again. I would love to hear your thoughts and how you might interpret this work, so please do leave a comment below. If you are ever in Madrid, Spain, don't forget to check this masterpiece out at the Museo Nacional del Prado. Incredible soundtracks credited below: 1) Chasing Daylight by Scott Buckley |   / scottbuckley   Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... 2)I Walk With Ghosts by Scott Buckley |   / scottbuckley   Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...