Artwork
Saint Peter
Saint Peter is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Master of the Berlin Passion. It dates from 1465 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This early printed work, an engraving on laid paper dating from around 1465, is attributed to the anonymous artist known as the Master of the Berlin Passion. The image presents a solitary, bearded figure holding a pair of large keys, rendered in monochrome through a network of fine incised lines.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Saint Peter, the apostle traditionally associated with the keys of heaven. He is depicted in flowing robes, standing on a patterned floor, while a scroll‑shaped element arches above his head, suggesting a halo inscribed with text, reinforcing his ecclesiastical authority.
Technique & Style
The print relies on delicate cross‑hatching, a method of intersecting lines that creates tonal variation and a sense of volume without the use of color. This approach produces subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving the composition a three‑dimensional quality despite its flat medium.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the Master of the Berlin Passion, an artist active in the mid‑15th century, the engraving reflects the Northern European devotional print tradition. Its precise origins remain uncertain, but the work is associated with the workshop that produced the Berlin Passion series, a group of narrative religious prints.
Artist & collection
