Tityos (Ribera)

Tityos (Ribera) refers primarily to the painting Tityos created by the Spanish Baroque artist Jusepe de Ribera (also known as José de Ribera). This painting, likely executed around 1632, depicts the mythological figure of Tityos, a giant in Greek mythology.

In Greek myth, Tityos attempted to rape Leto, the mother of Apollo and Artemis. As punishment for this crime against the gods, he was slain by Apollo and Artemis. His eternal punishment in the underworld was to be stretched out on the ground while two vultures (or sometimes a serpent) eternally devoured his liver, which constantly regenerated.

Ribera's Tityos is notable for its brutal and realistic depiction of this scene. The painting typically features a muscular, contorted figure of Tityos, exposed and vulnerable, with a large eagle (rather than vultures in some interpretations) tearing at his liver. The use of tenebrism, a style employing strong contrasts between light and dark, intensifies the drama and the sense of suffering.

Several versions of the painting are known, suggesting Ribera explored this subject more than once. The most recognized version is housed at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. The subject matter aligns with Ribera's other works, which often depict scenes of violence, martyrdom, and suffering, reflecting the influence of Caravaggio and the prevailing aesthetic sensibilities of the Baroque period. The painting serves as a powerful visual representation of divine retribution and the consequences of hubris.