Artwork
Petrus' berouw
Petrus' berouw is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum. The work portrays a kneeling figure, hands joined in prayer, clothed in a blue shirt beneath a yellow robe.
About this work
Overview
The work portrays a kneeling figure, hands joined in prayer, clothed in a blue shirt beneath a yellow robe. A book lies open at his feet, while a rooster with outstretched wings stands nearby. Behind them, a tree and a hill rise under a dark, atmospheric sky, rendered with strong contrasts of light and shadow.
Subject & Meaning
The composition suggests a moment of penitence or contemplation, the upward gaze indicating spiritual focus. The presence of the open book may allude to scripture, and the rooster—often a symbol of vigilance—adds a layer of moral or religious significance to the scene.
Technique & Style
The painter employs chiaroscuro to model forms, allowing light to carve out the figure and surrounding elements against a somber backdrop. Thick impasto creates a palpable surface texture, especially in the folds of the robe and the feathered bird, enhancing the tactile impression of the canvas.
History & Provenance
The piece, titled "Petrus' berouw," is executed in oil paint. No further details regarding its creation date, artist, or ownership history are provided in the source material.
Context
The work fits within a tradition of religious genre paintings that emphasize personal repentance. Its visual language—dramatic lighting, symbolic fauna, and a solitary, praying figure—echoes the baroque interest in emotional engagement and moral narrative.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
