Peter Raissis, Senior curator of historical European art introduces us to the work of Jusepe de Ribera, called lo Spagnoletto (1591–1652) and born in Valencia, Ribera lived and worked most of his life in Naples when the city belonged to Spain. He was arguably the most important early follower of Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro style and became renowned for his dramatic use of light and dark in his depictions of apostles and martyrs, penitents and philosophers, including the Gallery’s recently acquired painting of the ancient Greek storyteller, Aesop.

Explore the practices of nine leading Australian and international artists commissioned by The Art Gallery of New South Wales to create major new works. The largest commissioning program since our public institution opened 150 years ago will see site-specific and multi-sensory commissions enter the Art Gallery’s permanent collection. Curator Jackie Dunn will give a thoughtful introduction to these place making artworks that range from works that share Indigenous knowledge to fantastical bronze figures of a super-human scale.