Who painted St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ?

St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ was painted by Giovanni Francesco Romanelli in 1641.

Where can I see St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ?

St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

What movement is St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ?

St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ is associated with French Classical Baroque.

Artwork

St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ

Giovanni Francesco Romanelli , 1641

St John and St Peter at the empty tomb of Christ is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Giovanni Francesco Romanelli. It dates from 1641 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1641 by the Italian Baroque painter Giovanni Francesco Romanelli, this oil on canvas portrays the moment when the apostles John and Peter encounter the empty tomb of Christ. The composition balances two figures in richly colored garments with a serene sky and distant foliage, conveying a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures the biblical episode following the Resurrection, when the two disciples stand before the vacant sepulcher, reflecting on the miraculous event. Their gestures and attentive gazes suggest a mix of astonishment and reverence, while the presence of a winged figure adds a subtle hint of divine witness.

Technique & Style

Romanelli employs the French Classical Baroque idiom, marked by clear delineation of forms and a harmonious palette of greens, reds, blues, and yellows. The painting demonstrates careful modeling through chiaroscuro, giving the figures a three‑dimensional presence against the stone wall and open sky, while the crisp detailing underscores the artist’s reputation for vivid coloration.

History & Provenance

Since its completion, the canvas has entered the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in Baroque religious narratives and the work’s attribution to Romanelli, a noted figure in 17th‑century Italian art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni Francesco Romanelli

Giovanni Francesco Romanelli (Viterbo, 1610 – Viterbo, 9 November 1662) was a major Italian painter of the Baroque period, celebrated for his use of bright, vivid colors and also for his clarity of detail.