Artwork

Peter Paying the Temple Tax

Peter Paying the Temple Tax, by Gustav Heinrich Naeke, ink, 1820
Peter Paying the Temple Tax, by Gustav Heinrich Naeke, ink, 1820

Peter Paying the Temple Tax is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Gustav Heinrich Naeke. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Peter Paying the Temple Tax is a drawing by Gustav Heinrich Naeke, created in 1820. It is executed in pen and black ink over graphite on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a biblical scene where Peter kneels to a tax collector, holding out a coin in his open palm. The tax collector stands stiffly, holding a coin box, as he receives the payment.

Technique & Style

Naeke employed a technique of cross-hatching with tiny lines to create shading on faces and folds of clothing, achieving a sense of realistic light.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.