The story of the Apostle Peter’s denial and repentance was often chosen by old masters as a subject for their art works; it was especially popular during counter-reformation, when repentance was considered one of the most important Christian virtues. Peter was a fisherman from Galilee, called by Christ to serve Him.
He became one of the closest disciples of Jesus and was the first to recognize Him as Lord and Messiah. The painting shows the apostle Peter at the moment of tearful repentance for denying the Master, on the night when He was captured. This story is told by Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
The author of this painting, Italian artist Giovanni Lanfranco (1582-1647), is known as the creator of paintings and murals on religious topics. His style, based on realism, sentimental sensitivity and powerful visual appeal, provided the artist with many church orders. Our painting was probably a devotional image.
“Then Jesus saith unto them, all of you shall be offended because of Me this night; for it is written: “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the herd will be scattered abroad… Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” When Christ was captured, “Peter sat outside in the yard. And a servant girl came up to him and said: You were with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest. And when he went out of the gate, another maid saw him and said to those who were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus said to him: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”
The author of this painting, Italian artist Giovanni Lanfranco (1582-1647), is known as the creator of paintings and murals on religious topics. His style, based on realism, sentimental sensitivity and powerful visual appeal, provided the artist with many church orders. Our painting was probably a devotional image.
This is evidenced not only by the character’s prayer addressed to Heaven, but also by the key that lies before the Apostle. The key reminds the viewer about the mission that was prepared for Saint Peter by Jesus Christ and explained in another episode from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew: ‘And I tell you: you are Peter (stone), and on this stone I will build My Church (…) I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.’ The Apostle Peter earned the Lord’s deep trust for his true love for Christ, for the sensitive heart and suffering that made him capable of compassion for his neighbor, in the eyes of the Lord.
