Who painted Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro?

Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro was painted by Willem van Herp in 1650.

Where can I see Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro?

Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro?

Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro

Willem van Herp , 1650

Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Willem van Herp. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Around 1650, Flemish painter Willem van Herp executed a small‑scale religious work on copper titled *Jesucristo entregando las llaves a San Pedro*. The composition shows Christ surrounded by a group of robed figures, with a few white sheep grazing nearby, under a cloud‑filled sky where birds are in flight. The scene conveys a calm, contemplative atmosphere typical of Counter‑Reformation imagery.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the biblical moment when Jesus entrusts the keys of the kingdom to Saint Peter, a motif frequently employed to emphasize papal authority and the church’s foundational role. The inclusion of pastoral elements such as sheep and a tranquil landscape underscores themes of guidance and the faithful shepherding of believers.

Technique & Style

Executed on a copper panel, the work benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing fine detail and a luminous finish. Van Herp employs a restrained palette of reds, blues, and yellows for the garments, while the handling of light and shadow suggests a subtle chiaroscuro, creating depth without dramatic contrast, characteristic of Flemish Baroque modesty.

History & Provenance

Willem van Herp, active in Antwerp, ran a prolific workshop that disseminated the Flemish Baroque aesthetic across Europe. This particular copper painting entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 17th‑century religious art.