Artwork
Saint Peter weeping
Saint Peter weeping is an oil painting. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
The work, titled Saint Peter weeping, is an oil painting that portrays an elderly figure with a long white beard and weary eyes. He wears a plain brown robe, his hands joined, and his head is tipped back as if in prayer or astonishment. An open book and a key rest on a ledge beside him, while a dark backdrop surrounds the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Saint Peter, the apostle traditionally associated with the keys of heaven. The open book may allude to the Gospel or Peter’s role as a bearer of divine teaching, while the key reinforces his custodial authority. His upward gaze and clasped hands suggest a moment of penitence or supplication.
Technique & Style
The painter employs chiaroscuro, a stark contrast of light and shadow, to illuminate the saint’s face, beard, and hands against a deep, unlit background. This lighting scheme accentuates the texture of the skin and fabric, creating a three‑dimensional effect that draws the viewer’s focus to the emotional expression of the figure.
History & Provenance
The painting’s provenance is not detailed in the supplied information, and no specific date, artist, or collection history is provided. Consequently, its origin, ownership lineage, and exhibition record remain undocumented within the available data.
Artist & collection
