Who painted The Liberation of Saint Peter?

The Liberation of Saint Peter was painted by Leonaert Bramer in 1625.

Where can I see The Liberation of Saint Peter?

The Liberation of Saint Peter is held by Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

What movement is The Liberation of Saint Peter?

The Liberation of Saint Peter is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

The Liberation of Saint Peter

Leonaert Bramer , 1625

The Liberation of Saint Peter is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Leonaert Bramer. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Leonaert Bramer, a Dutch painter active in the early 1600s, completed the oil work titled The Liberation of Saint Peter in 1625. The composition belongs to the early Baroque period and is presently owned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The scene captures a pivotal biblical episode, rendered with a strong emphasis on light and shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates the moment described in Acts when an angel rescues the imprisoned apostle Peter. The angel, clutching a key, gently supports Peter as he emerges from a dim cell, symbolizing divine intervention and the triumph of faith over confinement. The darkness surrounding them underscores the peril from which the saint is being delivered.

Technique & Style

Bramer employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing a narrow beam of illumination to isolate the central figures against a deep, shadowy backdrop.

Bramer employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing a narrow beam of illumination to isolate the central figures against a deep, shadowy backdrop. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional effect and heightens the emotional intensity of the rescue. The artist’s handling of texture and the subtle play of light reflect the influence of Italian Baroque aesthetics while retaining his distinctive Dutch sensibility.

History & Provenance

Created in 1625, the work remained in private collections before entering the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings in the late twentieth century. Its acquisition expanded the museum’s representation of early Baroque Dutch painting, offering viewers insight into Bramer’s lesser‑known religious output alongside his more familiar genre scenes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Leonaert Bramer

Leonaert Bramer, also Leendert or Leonard (24 December 1596 – before 10 February 1674 (date of burial)), was a Dutch painter known primarily for genre, religious, and history paintings.