Artwork
St Peter the Apostle
St Peter the Apostle is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Georg Gsell. It dates from 1729 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
St Peter the Apostle is a 1729 oil painting by Georg Gsell, a Swiss-born artist who worked in Northern Europe and Russia.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a bearded man, likely the apostle Peter, in a blue and gold robe, with a serious expression and a golden halo. The dark background emphasizes his face, conveying a sense of reverence.
Technique & Style
Gsell employed chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to create a three-dimensional effect on the subject's face. The work's decorative qualities reflect the influence of the Rococo movement.
History & Provenance
Commissioned during Gsell's later years in Russia, where he had relocated in 1716 at the invitation of Peter the Great, the painting is now held in the State Hermitage Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Georg Gsell (Russian: Георг Гзелль; 28 January 1673 – 22 November 1740) was a Swiss Baroque painter, art consultant and art dealer.
