Who painted The Denial of Peter?

The Denial of Peter was painted by German 15th Century in 1460.

Where can I see The Denial of Peter?

The Denial of Peter is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Denial of Peter?

The Denial of Peter is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Denial of Peter

German 15th Century , 1460

The Denial of Peter is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1460 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a woodcut print executed in brown tones and later hand‑colored with red lake, green, brown and ochre pigments.

About this work

Overview

The work is a woodcut print executed in brown tones and later hand‑colored with red lake, green, brown and ochre pigments.

The work is a woodcut print executed in brown tones and later hand‑colored with red lake, green, brown and ochre pigments. The image portrays a dimly lit interior where three figures are arranged: a robed man in red on the left, a bearded, haloed figure addressing a kneeling man identified as Peter. The composition is framed by simple arches and a muted greenish wall, and the overall palette appears faded from age.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the biblical episode in which Peter denies Christ. The central dialogue occurs between the bearded, haloed figure—representing Jesus—and Peter, who is shown kneeling in a corner, emphasizing his moment of weakness. The red‑clad figure on the left gestures toward the interaction, underscoring the narrative tension of denial and impending remorse.

Technique & Style

The image was produced by carving the design into woodblocks, which provided the linear framework of the composition. After printing the brown base, the artist applied color by hand using red lake and other earth pigments, creating a textured, slightly uneven surface that combines the precision of woodcut with the intimacy of manual coloration.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to the tradition of early modern religious woodcuts, a medium commonly used for devotional images. Its current condition shows wear, with the original pigments dulled by time, indicating that it has been handled or displayed for an extended period, though specific ownership details are not recorded.

Context

Woodcut prints served as accessible visual narratives for a largely illiterate audience, allowing biblical stories to be disseminated beyond the church. The hand‑coloring technique reflects a transitional phase when printers began enhancing monochrome prints to increase visual appeal and didactic clarity.