great
Raphael.

FRANCISCO DE RIBALTA (1550-1628) was really the head of the school of
Valencia, and one of the best historical painters of Spain. He studied his
art first in Valencia, and there fell in love with the daughter of his
master. The father refused him his suit, and the young couple parted in
deep sorrow. Ribalta went to Italy, where he made such progress, and
gained such fame that when he returned to Valencia he had no trouble in
marrying his old master's daughter. Valencia has more pictures by Ribalta
than are found elsewhere. Out of Spain they are very rare. One of his
works is at Magdalene College, Oxford.

One peculiarity of the Spanish painters was that they painted the extremes
of emotion. Their subjects represented the ecstacy of bliss or the most
excruciating agony. They did not seem to have as much middle ground or to
know as much of moderate emotions as the painters of other nations.
Ribalta was no exception to this rule, and some of his pictures are
painful to look at. His portraits are fine, and represent the most
powerful men of Valencia of the time in which he lived.

JOSEF DE RIBERA was a native of Valencia, but lived and studied in Italy,
and so became more of an Italian than a Spanish master. I have spoken of
him in connection with the Naturalists and their school at Naples.

ALONSO CANO (1601-1667) was a very important artist, and cannot be said to
belong to any school. He was born at Granada, and studied under masters of
Seville, both in painting and sculpture. He became the best Spanish
artist who studied in Spain only. He was something of an architect also,
and his various talents acquired a high place for him among artists; but
his temper was such as to cause him much trouble, and it so interfered
with his life that he did not attain to the position to which his artistic
gifts entitled him.

In 1637 he fought a duel, and was obliged to flee from Madrid, and in 1644
his wife was found murdered in her bed. Cano was suspected of the crime,
and although he fled he was found, and brought back, and put to the
torture. He made no confession, and was set at liberty; but many people
believed in his guilt. He still held his office as painter to the king,
and was sometimes employed on important works; but he determined to remove
to his native Granada and become a priest. Philip IV. appointed him canon,
and after he held this office he was still employed as a painter and
sculptor by private per