Saint Peter the Apostle
Basic Info
Before encountering Jesus, Peter was called Simon. He was a fisherman and either married or widowed. Jesus called him to be one of the 12 Apostles. Peter was a prominent or leading Apostle and was one of the few present at events such as the Transfiguration. Once Jesus invited him to walk toward Jesus across a lake. Peter began to do so but lost faith and started to sink before Jesus saved him. After following Jesus for some time, Peter was the one who was able to identify Jesus as the Christ (Messiah in Hebrew), and the Son of God. Jesus called Peter the rock upon whom he would build the Church.
When Jesus was arrested, Peter was hanging around nearby. People recognized him as one of Jesus’ followers, but 3 times Peter denied knowing Jesus. When he heard the cock crow, he realized that Jesus had predicted his denial and he felt immense remorse.
By the end of the 2nd century, there was a story circulating that Peter had fled Rome, anticipating that he was about to be crucified. On the road he met Jesus, who was carrying his cross toward Rome. Peter said to Jesus, “Where you going?” (“Quo vadis?”). Jesus replied that he was going to Rome to be crucified again. This gave Peter the courage to go back and face the persecution himself.
Peter was martyred in Rome by being crucified upside down.
In portraits or statues, Peter is usually depicted as gray-haired or balding, bearded, and holding or receiving the keys to Heaven from Jesus. Other scenes in which Peter is often depicted include walking on water, denying Jesus after Jesus had been arrested, slicing off the ear of the servant at Jesus’ arrest, being crucified upside down, or encountering Jesus on the road in the “Quo vadis?” story. Peter's penitence was an especially popular subject of artworks from the 15th to 17th centuries.
What to Look For
- Which story is depicted (Calling the Disciples, Walking on Water, penitence, Transfiguration, the Last Supper, the denials, one of the Resurrection encounters, Peter’s crucifixion, Quo vadis? etc.)
- Peter’s physical appearance (age, gaze, hands, posture, attitude, etc.)
- If Jesus is present, Peter’s relationship with Jesus
- Indications of Peter’s faith (leadership, devotion, denial, sorrow, awe, etc.)
Questions to Focus a General Interpretation
Does the artwork emphasize Peter’s faith, his weaknesses, or his role as leader?
Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation
Does this artwork offer you any symbols of discipleship that call you to live differently?
Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation
Peter was the first Pope and is understood to be the model for popes. How might this artwork reflect the papacy of the artist’s time and place?
Peter is sometimes seen as a model for Christian men. What might have been going on in the society of the artist’s day that would have made this depiction of Peter especially relevant?
A Reflection on an Artwork Depicting Saint Peter as a Penitent
