In his early creative period the painting of Jusepe de Ribera played an important role in Luca Giordano’s work. With virtuosity he imitated the style of the Spanish master, who worked primarily in Naples as well, which was characterised by a pronounced contrast between light and dark. Several of his works bear Ribera’s signature that Giordano probably added himself for the art market—as in the case of this moving depiction of St. Andrew. A soldier, shown from behind, takes the palely lit body of the apostle down from the cross.