Artwork
Saint Peter freed by an Angel
Saint Peter freed by an Angel is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Tommaso Salini. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1601, this oil painting by Tommaso Salini portrays the biblical episode in which an angel liberates Saint Peter from confinement. Executed during the early Baroque period in Rome, the work is part of the Prado Museum’s collection and exemplifies the dramatic narrative style favored by the era.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on an aged Saint Peter, his hair and beard rendered in gray, seated on the ground with his arms outstretched. An angel, depicted as a youthful, winged figure in a purple mantle, reaches toward him, suggesting divine intervention and the miraculous nature of Peter’s release from prison.
Technique & Style
Salini employs strong chiaroscuro, casting the background in deep shadow while illuminating the two figures. This contrast heightens the sense of immediacy and three‑dimensionality. The painter’s handling of fabric—torn blue robe exposing the saint’s chest and the angel’s draped garment—demonstrates a keen attention to texture and movement.
History & Provenance
Active in early‑Baroque Rome, Salini was a contemporary of Caravaggio and joined the Accademia di San Luca in 1605. The painting entered the Museo del Prado’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display as a representative example of Salini’s religious narrative works.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Tommaso Salini (1575 – 13 September 1625), also known as Mao Salini, was an Italian painter of the early-Baroque period, active in Rome.
