Artwork
St. Peter
St. Peter is a print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1578 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. St.
About this work
Overview
St. Peter is a black-and-white print created by Hendrick Goltzius around 1578, now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The scene depicts chaos with multiple figures in motion, set against a backdrop of domed buildings, flags, and symbolic celestial elements.
Subject & Meaning
At the scene's right, an older, robed figure, likely St. Peter, holds a key and gestures downward, potentially alluding to a narrative element involving access or authority. The central figure, a muscular rider on horseback wielding a spear, dominates the chaotic action amidst falling, hurt, or dead individuals and scattered children.
Technique & Style
The print showcases dramatic, dynamic lines emphasizing muscle and movement, characteristic of artistic innovations of the time, possibly influenced by emerging techniques like chiaroscuro, which would have enhanced the portrayal of volume and energy.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1578 by Hendrick Goltzius, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here.
Context
The work reflects the late 16th-century interest in dynamic, emotionally charged scenes, often inspired by religious or mythological themes, with the artist's choice of subject and composition speaking to the period's artistic and cultural preoccupations.
Legacy
As a work by Goltzius, St. Peter contributes to the understanding of the artist's contribution to the development of printmaking and the evolution of dramatic, movement-focused art in the late Renaissance period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
