Artwork
Apostle (St. Peter)
Apostle (St. Peter) is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Marco Pino. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Galleria Borghese. Created circa 1550, this oil painting portrays the apostle Peter, rendered in the Mannerist idiom.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1550, this oil painting portrays the apostle Peter, rendered in the Mannerist idiom. The figure is seated upon a cloud, his white beard and hair framing a contemplative visage, while a red mantle overlays a blue tunic. A warm golden backdrop and soft illumination give the composition an intimate, devotional atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents Saint Peter in a moment of prayerful reflection, his hands joined before him and his gaze directed inward. The celestial setting and the saint’s serene expression emphasize his role as a spiritual intercessor, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of faith, repentance, and the authority of the early Church.
Technique & Style
Employing chiaroscuro, the painter models the figure with pronounced contrasts of light and shadow, creating a three‑dimensional presence against the luminous background. The palette of rich reds, deep blues, and golden tones reflects the Mannerist preference for heightened color and elegant elongation, while the soft transitions convey a subtle, almost tactile quality.
History & Provenance
The painting is attributed to Marco Pino, an Italian artist born in 1521 who trained in Siena before establishing a career in Rome and Naples. After his death in 1583, the work entered the collection of the Galleria Borghese, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 16th‑century Italian art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marco Pino or Marco da Siena (1521–1583) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance and Mannerist period.
